Summary
After Karl Urban’s disappointing video game adaptation with 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, the actor finally has a chance to make up for the project thanks toMortal Kombat 2.Karl Urban’s casting as Johnny Cage inMortal Kombat 2was announced in 2023 and helped add some extra star power to the reboot. The iconic fighting series first transitioned from its video game format onto the big screen in 1995, but after its sequel two years, the franchise didn’t return to cinemas until 2021’sMortal Kombat, which set up an exciting foundation for the next installment.
WhileMortal Kombat (2021)brought several key characters back to the cinematic setting, one of its most popular fighters didn’t make the cut - Johnny Cage. Thankfully, he is set to appear in the sequel, and with Karl Urban officially playing him, it could be one of the character’s best depictions yet.Mortal Kombat 2’s storymay still be unknown, but the numerous new additions give it plenty of potential, andUrban could steal the show as Johnny Cage. Thankfully, this highly anticipated project not only gives Urban an exciting new role but could redeem his first-ever gaming adaptation.
Mortal Kombat 2’s Wishlist: 10 Things That Need To Happen In The Sequel
The 2021 Mortal Kombat movie left a lot to be desired, and Mortal Kombat 2 needs these 10 elements to surpass its predecessor.
Karl Urban Played John Grimm In 2005’s Doom
Urban’s First Video Game Adaptation Role Came Nearly 2 Decades Ago In Doom
WithMortal Kombat 2scheduled for a 2025 release date, Urban’s new video game adaptation could make up for his underwhelmingDoommovie two decades prior.Doomwas the actor’s first outing in a gaming movie, but it didn’t manage to fulfill its full potential. Starring alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Rosamund Pike,Urban played John Grimm in the 2005 film based on the popular video game franchise. Despite his leading role,Doomwasn’t amongKarl Urban’s best movies or TV shows, as the film scored just 18% on Rotten Tomatoes while receiving poor reviews across the board.
Doom
Doom, directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, follows a team of space marines known as the Rapid Response Tactical Squad who are dispatched to a Mars research facility after a security breach. They face alien threats and uncover the dangers of a mutagenic experiment led by Dr. Grimm.
Although theDoomgames have a massive reputation for their fun, explosive action, the live-action movie didn’t replicate this same spirit and came up short in comparison. Unfortunately, poor video game adaptations weren’t uncommon during this era, proving how far the genre has come considering how many hits have come out in the last few years. While Urban is clearly capable of a better performance,Doomsimply didn’t get the best out of him, making his track record with these adaptations unsatisfactory. Therefore, his addition toMortal Kombat 2is even more important, as it could redeem this previous flop.
I’m Confident Mortal Kombat 2 Will Be Much Better Than Doom
Mortal Kombat 2 Already Has A Solid Foundation To Build On
OvercomingDoomshouldn’t be a big problem forMortal Kombat 2, as the sequel already has a lot going for it.Alongside Johnny Cage, many more classic characters will be making their debut in this newMortal Kombatuniverse, including Shao Kahn, Kitana, and Quan Chi. This will add some recognizable fighters to the roster while also bringing plenty of talented actors to the cast, allowing the second installment to improve upon the first outing. The 2021 film wasn’t bad by any means, but there is certainly room to grow, and these early additions are a good sign forMK2.
The first movie did much of the heavy lifting in terms of establishing the world and lore, meaning the sequel can simply focus on introducing the new characters and telling a strong story.
The first movie did much of the heavy lifting in terms of establishing the world and lore, meaning the sequel can simply focus on introducing the new characters and telling a strong story. IfMortal Kombat 2can add better fights and fatalitieswhile producing a compelling narrative, there is no reason the movie won’t be a huge hit and finally give Urban the quality gaming adaptation he deserves.Doomfailed to embrace its source material or deliver a memorable story, butMortal Kombatcould do both, continuing the 2020s mostly positive video game adaptation trend.
What Will Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage Be Like In Mortal Kombat 2?
Karl Urban’s Depiction Of Johnny Cage May Be Different To Previous Iterations Of The Character
Johnny Cage is usually one ofMortal Kombat’s central characters, with his cocky and sarcastic personality often dividing players. However, Karl Urban’s take on the character will reportedly divert expectations. At 2024’s San Diego Comic Con, Lewis Tan gave some major updates on the upcoming project and revealed Karl Urban’sJohnny Cage would be different from theMortal Kombatgames. The Cole Young actor claimed the performance may not be what people are expecting, meaningUrban’s version could be slightly darker compared to the usually upbeat martial artist, but the changes could be potentially risky.
Given how popular Billy Butcher has become,Mortal Kombat 2may want to cash in on Urban’s mainstream appeal and copy some traits from his role inThe Boys.
The fun and quirky nature of Johnny is what makes him so iconic, as he stands out from some of the more ruthless fighters. He’s still capable of getting serious, but he brings a much-needed light-hearted feel to the series. Urban’s depiction could lean into this even more, with Johnny being goofier than expected, but it seems more likely for the actor to bring a grittier vibe to the character. Given how popular Billy Butcher has become,Mortal Kombat 2may want to cash in on Urban’s mainstream appeal and copy some traits from his role inThe Boys.
Therefore, it is hard to predict exactly what Johnny Cage will bring to the table in the sequel, but he is almost guaranteed to have a huge role given Urban’s popularity as well as the character’s significance to the franchise.
Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II: A sequel to the 2021 film Mortal Kombat, this movie continues the saga of Earth’s champions as they face new threats from the Outworld. Building on the original’s mythical universe, the film delves deeper into the lore of the Mortal Kombat tournament and its legendary fighters.
