Mortal Kombat 2’s handling of Johnny Cage will hopefully make up for the last time he appeared in a live-action movie. Even though Mortal Kombat is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, its movie adaptations have never really found success. As of now, there have been three live-action Mortal Kombat movies. The 1995 and 2021 films both received mixed reviews, whereas 1997’s Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is seen as a huge disaster. Therefore, fans are hoping that the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 will redeem the franchise on the big screen.
Ahead of the movie’s release, anticipation is high for Mortal Kombat 2 since it will include an actual tournament and plenty of new characters, such as Shao Kahn, Quan Chi, and Kitana. However, out of all the new characters in Mortal Kombat 2, fans are definitely the most excited about Johnny Cage. In the sequel, Johnny Cage will be played by Karl Urban, an acclaimed and incredibly charismatic actor. Therefore, it seems like Johnny Cage’s role in Mortal Kombat 2 will make up for his underwhelming role in Annihilation.
Johnny Cage Is One Of Mortal Kombat 2’s Main Characters
Karl Urban Leads The Cast Of Mortal Kombat 2
Since he was teased at the end of the 2021 film, fans have been waiting to see Johnny Cage in the rebooted movie franchise for years. Hype for the character’s debut grew even more when it was announced that Urban would portray him in the sequel. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like Mortal Kombat 2 will waste Urban’s talents. In fact, it seems like Johnny Cage may be the main character of Mortal Kombat 2.
So far, an official image of Mortal Kombat 2 featuring Johnny Cage front and center has been released, as well as a fake poster for one of the Hollywood star’s movies. Additionally, in a preview of the film from Entertainment Weekly, Mortal Kombat 2 producer and co-creator of the video game Ed Boon claimed that Johnny Cage will be the audience’s lens in the sequel. Therefore, it’s safe to say that Johnny Cage will get more screen time than any other character in Mortal Kombat 2.
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation Killed Johnny Cage Very Early On
Annihilation Is The Lowest-Rated Mortal Kombat Movie
Before the upcoming sequel, Johnny Cage appeared in the two live-action films from the 90s. The 1995 Mortal Kombat movie adapted the first video game and its companion comic book very closely, which means Johnny Cage had a major role in the film. In the movie, Johnny Cage has very memorable fights against characters like Scorpion and Goro. In fact, his fight against Scorpion is one of the best live-action Mortal Kombat fights ever. Overall, Lindon Ashby stole the show as Johnny Cage in the 1995 film.
Conrad didn’t get much of a chance to showcase his take on Johnny Cage, since he is killed at the beginning of Annihilation.
Ashby decided not to return for Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, so Chris Conrad stepped into the role. Unfortunately, Conrad didn’t get much of a chance to showcase his take on Johnny Cage, since he is killed at the beginning of Annihilation. After Outworld loses the tournament in the 1995 film, Shao Kahn decides to invade Earthrealm in the sequel. Early on in this invasion, Johnny Cage attacks Shao Kahn to protect Sonya Blade and the Outworld emperor ends up snapping his neck. Therefore, Johnny Cage had a very minor role in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.
Mortal Kombat 2 Can Give Johnny Cage Justice After His Unceremonious Annihilation Death
Johnny Cage Will Take On Outworld Warriors Once Again In Mortal Kombat 2
Since he is one of the most popular Mortal Kombat characters, fans were very disappointed that Johnny Cage was killed so early in Annihilation. Therefore, Mortal Kombat 2 needs to make up for this underwhelming death. Just like in Annihilation, Johnny Cage and his fellow Earthrealm champions will be going up against Shao Kahn and his Outworld warriors in Mortal Kombat 2.
At this point, it’s unknown if Mortal Kombat 2’s version of Johnny Cage will end up facing Shao Kahn. However, either way, it’s practically a guarantee that Johnny Cage will take on many Outworld warriors and come out victorious in the upcoming sequel. Given the marketing for the movie so far, it seems like Johnny Cage will be a major character in not just Mortal Kombat 2, but also future films in the franchise, which is amazing news 28 years after Annihilation.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
