Karl Urban's Johnny Cage Shines in Mortal Kombat 2 Trailer

The new teaser sees the washed-up actor embrace his role as the cocky fighter.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A new trailer for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 film has been released, showcasing Karl Urban's portrayal of the character Johnny Cage. In the brief teaser, Cage is seen at a convention contemplating his life when he is selected to compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament. Despite initially not wanting to fight Sonya Blade, Cage eventually embraces his role as the cocky, one-liner-delivering fighter fans know and love.

Why it matters

The Mortal Kombat franchise has a dedicated fanbase that has been eagerly awaiting the sequel to the 2021 hit film. The inclusion of Johnny Cage, a beloved character from the video game series, is sure to excite longtime fans and draw in new viewers who are interested in seeing the iconic fighter on the big screen.

The details

The new Mortal Kombat 2 trailer features a brief scene of Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, at a convention where he is selected to compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament. Initially reluctant to fight Sonya Blade, Cage eventually embraces his role as the overconfident, quippy fighter, delivering the classic line "It's showtime." The trailer also teases the return of other fan-favorite characters, including Kitana, Kano, and Scorpion, as the champions of Earthrealm face off against the forces of Shao Kahn.

  • The new Mortal Kombat 2 trailer was released on February 25, 2026.
  • Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on May 8, 2026.

The players

Karl Urban

An actor known for his roles in films such as The Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and Dredd, who is portraying the character of Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2.

Ed Boon

The co-creator of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, who has praised the emotional opening sequence of the Mortal Kombat 2 film.

Simon McQuoid

The director of Mortal Kombat 2, who is tasked with bringing the iconic video game characters to life on the big screen.

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What they’re saying

“The opening sequence in the movie is… I don't think I've seen it yet and not cried. It is intense. It punches you in the face. And it absolutely is the best way to start it, but the rest of the movie just lives up to it. It's such a powerful opening scene.”

— Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat co-creator (Collider)

What’s next

Mortal Kombat 2 is set to hit theaters on May 8, 2026, and fans can expect to see more trailers and promotional material in the lead-up to the film's release.

The takeaway

The inclusion of Johnny Cage, played by the charismatic Karl Urban, in the Mortal Kombat 2 trailer has generated a lot of excitement among fans of the franchise. The film's emotional opening sequence and the promise of intense action and Fatalities are sure to make Mortal Kombat 2 a must-see event for both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.