Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana Debut in Mortal Kombat 2 Film

Fans of the *Mortal Kombat* series have been treated to an exciting glimpse of the upcoming sequel, *Mortal Kombat 2*. Entertainment Weekly has unveiled first-look images of several key characters, showcasing Karl Urban as the charismatic Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as the formidable Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as the graceful Kitana. Returning to the fray is Hiroyuki Sanada, reprising his role as the iconic Scorpion.

Karl Urban, known for his portrayal of Billy Butcher in *The Boys*, steps into the shoes of Johnny Cage, a character beloved for his egocentric Hollywood persona. A previously released in-universe poster had already sparked curiosity about Urban's take on the character, and the new images reveal a fresh-faced Urban sporting Cage’s trademark hair and sunglasses, striking a classic martial arts pose. The background features familiar faces like Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, setting the stage for an action-packed sequel.

First looks at Johnny Cage, Shao Khan, Kitana, and Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 2 film:

Karl Urban ➡️ Johnny Cage
Martyn Ford ➡️ Shao Kahn
Adeline Rudolph ➡️ Kitana
Hiroyuki Sanada reprises as Scorpion

Via: https://t.co/1CHXzLhFGK#MortalKombat2 pic.twitter.com/7ifeMHzhC6

— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 17, 2025

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ed Boon, co-creator of the *Mortal Kombat* series, shared insights on Johnny Cage's role in the sequel. "His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores," Boon remarked. He described Cage as a "washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing," noting that Karl Urban brings a unique flair to the character that differs from the video game version. Boon teased a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Cage, promising a fresh and entertaining take on the beloved fighter.

Director Simon McQuoid also weighed in on the character, emphasizing the need for depth. "We wanted a character that wasn't just completely silly, comic book… It's a character that could instantly go there and become too light and throwaway if we were to lean too much into the kind of cheese. The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth," McQuoid explained.

Entertainment Weekly also confirmed that movie-accurate skins for Urban's Johnny Cage, Rudolph's Kitana, and Ford's Shao Kahn will be available in *Mortal Kombat 1* later this year, bridging the gap between the film and the game.

Adding to the excitement, Damon Herriman joins the cast as Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang make a surprising return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively, despite their characters' demise in the first film. Ed Boon addressed this by referencing the *Mortal Kombat* lore, which often brings characters back through spirits and the NetherRealm. "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that," he explained. "There are ways to bring dead characters back."

Rounding out the new additions are Tati Gabrielle as Jade and Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel, further enriching the film's roster of characters. *Mortal Kombat 2* is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising fans an exhilarating continuation of the iconic franchise.