The character known as Johnny Cage was always bound to make an appearance sooner or later. The only question was whether the wait would be worth it. With Mortal Kombat II now in theaters, it is safe to say that it absolutely was. Karl Urban takes on the mantle of gaming’s most beloved Hollywood action hero, and the years-long buildup to his arrival has clearly paid off.
Why Johnny Cage Was Too Big for Mortal Kombat (2021)
Speaking in interviews following the film’s release, director Simon McQuoid admitted that keeping Johnny Cage out of the first movie was a calculated decision. The director described the character as a “giant personality,” explaining that introducing him too early would have disrupted the original film’s balance. The idea was to hold Cage in reserve until the franchise had firmly established itself.
That choice disappointed many fans. Johnny Cage was one of the original eight fighters introduced in the 1992 Mortal Kombat video game. The character was essentially an exaggerated parody of Jean-Claude Van Damme and his role in Bloodsport.
Over the last three decades, Cage has become one of the franchise’s defining figures. Having Cole Young travel to Los Angeles to meet him at the end of the first movie essentially served as a promise to audiences, a big and colorful promise.
Still, the first film performed well enough to launch a franchise. A sequel was officially greenlit in 2022 by New Line Cinema, with McQuoid returning to direct and Jeremy Slater writing the script. In May 2023, Karl Urban was officially announced as Johnny Cage.
Karl Urban as Johnny Cage: Why the Casting Works
Urban feels like a natural fit for a character like Cage. Since The Lord of the Rings, much of his screen presence has been built around characters who weaponize charisma and personality. Bones McCoy in the Star Trek reboot films, Judge Dredd in the criminally underrated Dredd, and Billy Butcher in The Boys are among his most memorable roles. Cage, after all, is both a wildcard and comic relief, two qualities Urban handles exceptionally well.
In Mortal Kombat II, Cage is portrayed as an aging Hollywood action star who grew up training in karate and rode the popularity of stars like Van Damme and Schwarzenegger to fame. Now, with Earthrealm calling on him, he finds himself stuck on the convention circuit.
Urban has described the role as the most physically demanding performance of his career so far, even revealing that he performed Cage’s iconic split move himself.
Joel McHale, who voiced Cage in several animated Mortal Kombat projects, praised the casting as perfect. Meanwhile, Jeremy Slater compared audience reactions during test screenings to the excitement people felt while watching Avengers: Endgame. Whether Mortal Kombat II can reach that same level of box office success remains to be seen, but the enthusiasm surrounding the sequel is undeniably strong.
What Johnny Cage Means for the Franchise Going Forward
It goes without saying that Johnny Cage’s appearance in Mortal Kombat II was never intended to be a one-time event. Producer Todd Garner has already confirmed that a third installment is in development. Urban’s version of Cage is expected to become a key part of the franchise moving forward.
Garner has also teased possible spin-offs and discussed long-term plans for character development, including finally introducing Kano’s infamous metal plate. As for McQuoid, the director explained that one of his major goals with the sequel was to recreate the “emotion, power, fun, and depth of character” that audiences connected with in the opening of the previous film. With Johnny Cage now part of the story, the chances of achieving that feel significantly stronger.
The first Mortal Kombat movie ultimately proved a success, earning more than $83 million worldwide despite mixed reviews. And it accomplished that with a noticeably smaller ensemble than the sequel. For now, Mortal Kombat II is officially in theaters and has kicked off with a strong $40 million box office opening.