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Exciting news for Mortal Kombat fans! Karl Urban, widely recognized for his role in The Boys, is reportedly in the final stages of negotiation to join the cast of the highly anticipated Mortal Kombat sequel. According to The Wrap, Urban is set to portray the iconic character Johnny Cage, a self-assured action movie star with exceptional martial arts expertise. The sequel will be directed by Simon McQuoid, who also helmed the successful 2021 live-action adaptation. Jeremy Slater, known for his work on Moon Knight and The Umbrella Academy, has penned the script.
Karl Urban’s Background and Video Game Experience
Karl Urban is no stranger to blockbuster roles, having made his mark in popular franchises such as The Boys, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Thor: Ragnarok. Notably, he has also ventured into the realm of video game adaptations with his role as Doomguy in the 2005 film Doom and a voice role in the upcoming Ark: The Animated Series.
For those unfamiliar with Mortal Kombat, Johnny Cage is a central character in the game series. He is dedicated to safeguarding Earthrealm from various threats, all while maintaining a keen interest in looking cool. Although he was absent from the 2021 film, a post-credits scene hinted at his appearance in a potential sequel. The new Mortal Kombat movie serves as a grittier reboot compared to the 1990s films, incorporating the signature fatalities (brutal finishing moves) that fans adore.
The Success of the First Mortal Kombat Film
Mortal Kombat was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The film primarily focused on the origin story of Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s intense rivalry. Alongside Karl Urban, the cast included Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, who is also depicted as Johnny Cage’s love interest in the games.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Mortal Kombat managed to gross an impressive $84.4 million worldwide, considering its modest production budget of $55 million. It’s worth noting that the simultaneous release on HBO Max impacted box office figures. Business Insider reported that the film was the most-streamed among Warner Bros’ theatrical and HBO Max releases in 2021, with an opening viewership of 3.8 million.
Karl Urban’s Involvement and the Miz’s Missed Opportunity
The news of Karl Urban’s potential role in Mortal Kombat 2 coincides with WWE superstar Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin’s expressed interest in portraying Johnny Cage. In an interview from last year, Mizanin shared his enthusiasm and dedication to the character, even garnering significant support on social media. However, it seems that fate has favored Karl Urban for the role, leaving The Miz disappointed despite his showmanship and endorsement from Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon.
Conclusion
The Mortal Kombat sequel continues to generate excitement, with Karl Urban in final talks to join the cast as Johnny Cage. Urban’s versatile acting background, including his previous involvement in video game adaptations, makes him a fitting choice for the role. Fans can anticipate an action-packed and visually stunning film that stays true to the beloved Mortal Kombat franchise. Stay tuned for more updates on the release details of the Mortal Kombat sequel!
FAQs
1. Who is Karl Urban?
Karl Urban is a well-known actor, recognized for his roles in The Boys, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Thor: Ragnarok.
2. What character will Karl Urban play in the Mortal Kombat sequel?
Karl Urban is reportedly in talks to portray the character of Johnny Cage, the confident action movie star with impressive martial arts skills.
3. Who directed the first Mortal Kombat film?
The first Mortal Kombat film was directed by Simon McQuoid.
4. How successful was the 2021 Mortal Kombat film?
The 2021 Mortal Kombat film grossed $84.4 million worldwide and garnered significant streaming viewership on HBO Max.
5. Who else starred in the first Mortal Kombat film?
The cast of the first Mortal Kombat film included Hiroyuki Sanada, Joe Taslim, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, and Jessica McNamee.
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