Mortal Kombat 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 reboot, is slated for a fall release, sparking fervent discussion among fans. The film's budget, potential box office returns, casting choices (including the first glimpses of Johnny Cage, Shao Kahn, and Kitana), and even potential release date shifts are all under the microscope. Let's delve into the online buzz surrounding this upcoming cinematic clash.
A first look at the film, featuring Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Kitana, Shao Kahn, and Scorpion, has already ignited debate. [Tweet embed here]
The 2021 reboot's introduction of Cole Young, a somewhat controversial original character, has led to significant online discussion. Many fans expressed their preference for established franchise characters, voicing their hope that Cole takes a backseat in the sequel. Comments ranged from "I really enjoyed the remake except for the new character they created for no reason. Hopefully he takes a backseat in this one," to speculation about Johnny Cage's elevated role: "He isn't the main character anymore, Johnny is. [OK] I'm not sure if it's Johnny but a lot of leaks have said he isn't the MC anymore." The sentiment that Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, is now the main character is prevalent, fueled by Urban's prominent placement on promotional materials. One Redditor stated, "Johnny is the main character this time 100%. Urban got top billing on the poster they released and he’s prominently featured in the first promo images."
However, Urban's casting has also drawn criticism, particularly regarding his age. Comments such as "Who the hell made this thinking Karl Urban is the perfect guy for Johnny Cage?" and "at 49 he is miscast and doesn't have the outlandish optimistic charisma that Cage has in the lore," highlight concerns about his suitability for the role. Alternative casting suggestions included Glen Powell, Chris Evans, Austin Butler, Jack Quaid, and The Miz. Conversely, some fans defended Urban's casting, drawing parallels to Heath Ledger's unexpected success as the Joker. One Redditor countered, "Have you seen the movie yet? People said the same thing about Ledger being The Joker…it's unfair to suggest Urban can't pull it off." Another simply stated, "Primitive monkey brain triggers ‘Karl Urban in movie, take my money.’"
Box office predictions vary widely, with some fans suggesting a gross of around $250 million, considering a reasonable budget. Others predict a higher return, even suggesting strong streaming performance could offset a shorter theatrical run. One fan commented, "Under $300 million. But it’ll do huge on streaming. It doesn’t need no more than a 5-6 week long theater run."
The film's production faced delays due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes, impacting the budget and potentially influencing expectations. One Redditor commented, "This probably made sense when the budget was less than the first but then strike delays blew it up."
Despite some skepticism about the film's potential success ("Feel like this might bomb honestly. First one wasn’t even well received and I doubt people will be rushing out to see this sequel."), others remain optimistic, highlighting the popularity of Karl Urban's work on The Boys and expressing excitement for the film's potential. One user countered, "I think you’re underestimating how big The Boys is, it has 55 million international viewers. I think the movie will do solid even outside the U.S."
Ultimately, anticipation for Mortal Kombat 2 is high, regardless of individual opinions on casting or box office predictions. The film's release date is still subject to speculation, with potential shifts to an August release being discussed. One user noted, "That would make more sense…The PTA movie would get a Venice premiere and awards season, while Mortal Kombat gets late summer." Another simply stated, "MK screams August, IMO."
The conversation surrounding Mortal Kombat 2 is far from over, and the wait for its release will undoubtedly be filled with continued speculation and fervent anticipation. What are your thoughts on the upcoming sequel? Share your predictions in the comments!
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