Everything to Know About the ‘Intense’ Sequel

Prepare to test your might as Mortal Kombat 2 uppercuts its way into theaters this fall.

The sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat continues to adapt the fighting video games, bringing players’ favorite characters to life as they punch and kick their way through the ultimate battle to save Earth.

The latest movie adaptation followed a new character, an MMA fighter named Cole Young (Lewis Tan) who was transported to the world of the video game. It also featured other iconic characters from the Mortal Kombat universe, such as Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Kano (Josh Lawson), Jax (Mehcad Brooks), Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim).

When asked about a sequel, actor Lawson told PEOPLE in an April 2021 interview that the “franchise potential is massive.”

“There’s so much you could explore not just from the characters we haven’t met, but also the characters we have,” he continued. “Even in the games, those characters have evolved … There is evolution in the game, so why not in the films, as well?”

Here’s everything to know about Mortal Kombat 2, including the release date, cast, plot details and more news.

What is Mortal Kombat 2 a sequel to?

Mortal Kombat 2 is the sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat. The video game franchise was previously adapted for the big screen with two movies, 1995’s Mortal Kombat and 1997’s Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.

The 2021 Mortal Kombat was not a sequel to the ’90s movies, but a reboot of the film franchise.

Simon McQuoid made his directorial debut with Mortal Kombat and is returning to helm the upcoming second entry.

In a March 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, McQuoid said that he and screenwriter Jeremy Slater strived to “maximize everything” with Mortal Kombat 2.

“Just build on where we were and then make it significantly more intense, bigger in scale, bigger in variation, bigger across the board really as a cinematic experience,” he revealed.

What will Mortal Kombat 2 be about?

Mortal Kombat 2 will focus on the Mortal Kombat tournament, the big battle in which warriors from different realms face off against one another in a fight to the bloody finish. The tournament was mentioned in the first movie and will now be the plot of the sequel.

In the previous Mortal Kombat movie, sinister sorcerer Shang Tsung (Chin Han) attempted to kill Earth’s warriors before they could compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament.

Now the ultimate challenge is here, and the stakes couldn’t be higher because if the fighters from Earth aren’t victorious, Outworld overlord Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford) will invade and take over the planet.

Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon told EW that in Mortal Kombat 2 there will be “a visual representation of who is winning” the tournament.

“It’s not just a tournament for the sake of a tournament,” he continued. “There are huge consequences, so you really are keeping score. And there are a lot of twists in it that keep you on your toes.”

Who plays Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2?

The Boys star Karl Urban will slip on Johnny Cage’s sunglasses in Mortal Kombat 2.

The fan-favorite fighter is a parody of ’90s action movie stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, who was an inspiration for the character, according to Polygon. Johnny’s introduction was teased in the 2021 film, and he will be one of the main characters in the sequel.

“You finally get to see Johnny Cage,” Mortal Kombat co-creator Boon told EW. “His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores. 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,” Boon explained. “He’s adding his own [flair] to it, but I think it’ll feel fresh. There’s like a novelty factor in there.”

Who else is in the cast of Mortal Kombat 2?

The Mortal Kombat 2 cast will include familiar faces and new ones as well, per Deadline, including:

Karl Urban as Johnny CageAdeline Rudolph as KitanaJessica McNamee as Sonya BladeJosh Lawson as KanoLudi Lin as Liu KangMehcad Brooks as JaxTati Gabrielle as JadeLewis Tan as Cole YoungDamon Herriman as Quan ChiChin Han as Shang TsungTadanobu Asano as Lord RaidenJoe Taslim as Bi-Han and Sub-ZeroHiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and ScorpionMartyn Ford as Shao KahnDesmond Chiam as Edenian King JerrodAna Thu Nguyen as Queen SindelMax Huang as Kung Lao

In a June 2025 interview with ComicBook.com, when asked about Mortal Kombat 2, screenwriter Slater said, “I think we nailed it.”

“They had the best stunt team in the business working on this thing,” he added. “The actors are phenomenal. It’s so much funnier and bigger than the first movie.”

When is Mortal Kombat 2 coming out?

Mortal Kombat 2 will be released in theaters on Oct. 24, 2025.

Where can I watch the Mortal Kombat movies?

Mortal Kombat (1995), Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) and Mortal Kombat (2021) are all available to stream on Max.