The highly anticipated sequel to the Mortal Kombat movie has unveiled exciting new characters, offering fans a thrilling first look at the additions to the cinematic universe. Entertainment Weekly has shared captivating images of Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, with the return of Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion.

For fans eager to see Karl Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in The Boys, embody the egocentric Hollywood star Johnny Cage, the wait is over. A striking image showcases Urban with Cage's iconic hairstyle and sunglasses, poised in a classic martial arts stance. The backdrop features familiar faces such as Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade.

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

Ed Boon, the creative force behind the Mortal Kombat games at NetherRealm Studios, provided insights into 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 stated. He highlighted the unique take on the character by Urban, noting, "He's a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He's adding his own flare to it, but I think it'll feel fresh. There's like a novelty factor in there."

Boon also teased a "ridiculously hilarious" introduction for Johnny Cage, while director Simon McQuoid emphasized the balance they aimed to strike with the character. "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.

In addition to the new characters, Entertainment Weekly 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.

The sequel also brings back some fan-favorite characters in surprising ways. Damon Herriman steps into the role of Quan Chi, while Josh Lawson and Max Huang return as Kano and Kung Lao, respectively, despite their demise in the first film. Boon explained how the game's lore accommodates such returns: "So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that," he said. "There are ways to bring dead characters back."

Completing the cast, Tati Gabrielle joins as Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel. Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, promising an exhilarating continuation of the iconic franchise.