Based on early details about the movie, it seems like Cole Young may not be the main character in Mortal Kombat 2. This is surprising, since the 2021 film sets Cole Young up as the main protagonist of the rebooted franchise. At the end of 2021’s Mortal Kombat, Cole Young teamed up with Scorpion, his ancestor, to defeat Sub-Zero and ensure that Earthrealm’s warriors could fight in the tournament. Even though Cole Young was a brand-new character in the 2021 film, I ᴀssumed he would be the main fighter to represent Earthrealm in the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2.

Since Cole Young is a new character who has not appeared in any of the Mortal Kombat video games, he was quite divisive, but this doesn’t change the fact that the 2021 film established him as the main protagonist. The upcoming sequel is very exciting since it will feature an actual Mortal Kombat tournament and the highly anticipated introduction of Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage, but it will be strange if Cole Young is sidelined. I hope this isn’t the case, but details about the film suggest that Johnny Cage will be the main character in Mortal Kombat 2.

Mortal Kombat 2’s Producer Teased Johnny Cage Is The Main Character, Not Cole Young

Johnny Cage Will Fight In The Mortal Kombat Tournament In The Sequel

Even though Mortal Kombat 2 will hit theaters on October 24, 2025, a trailer for the sequel has still not been released. Because of this, not many details about the story of the film are known. However, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ed Boon, the movie’s producer and one of the creators of the video game, claimed that Johnny Cage will be the audience’s lens in Mortal Kombat 2. This suggests that Johnny Cage, one of the most popular characters from the video games, will be the main character instead of Cole Young.

The 2021 movie ended on a cliffhanger, with Cole Young heading out to search for Johnny Cage ahead of the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament. Because of this, it makes sense for Johnny Cage to be an important character in Mortal Kombat 2. Additionally, Urban is the most well-known actor in the cast, which could have convinced the creative team behind the film to give his character a bigger role. However, it would still be strange to see Johnny Cage serve as the main protagonist, rather than one of Cole Young’s trusted allies.

Cole Young Is Strangely Absent From Mortal Kombat 2’s Marketing So Far

Johnny Cage Has The Spotlight In Mortal Kombat 2’s Marketing Campaign

In addition to Boon’s comments about Johnny Cage, it is also worth noting that Cole Young hasn’t been featured in any marketing for Mortal Kombat 2. In contrast, a fake movie poster featuring Johnny Cage has been released to promote the sequel. Additionally, Urban’s Johnny Cage stands in front of the other characters in one of the first-look images for Mortal Kombat 2. Therefore, based on the marketing for the movie so far, it doesn’t seem ridiculous to claim that Johnny Cage will be the main character in the sequel.

Obviously, Cole Young, who is played by Lewis Tan, will be featured in some marketing for Mortal Kombat 2 eventually. Once a trailer for the film is released, I would be shocked if Cole Young isn’t included in it. Therefore, I still think Cole Young will play an important role in Mortal Kombat 2, but it seems like he may be sidelined so the movie can showcase other characters more. Overall, it seems like the sequel film may favor the most popular video game characters, rather than a brand-new character like Cole Young.

Mortal Kombat 2 Sidelining Cole Young For Johnny Cage Would Be A Mistake

Johnny Cage Shouldn’t Be Mortal Kombat 2’s Main Character

Even though some fans didn’t like Cole Young in the first movie, it would be a mistake to sideline him in Mortal Kombat 2. Johnny Cage is undoubtedly one of the best Mortal Kombat characters, but he never serves as the main protagonist in any of the games. Therefore, it would be weird if he led Earthrealm’s fighters instead of Cole Young, who has already been set up to do so.

In the first movie, Cole Young already defeated Goro, one of Outworld’s most fearsome warriors, and fought against Sub-Zero during the climax. After already being established as the main protagonist in this rebooted franchise, it would make no sense if Cole Young wasn’t the one to fight Shao Kahn at the end of Mortal Kombat 2. Therefore, even though Mortal Kombat 2 will include many amazing characters from the video game, their inclusion should not come at the expense of Cole Young.

Source: Entertainment Weekly