How can a sequel reach true greatness? It always helps to cast a big name star. Plus you can add beloved characters into the mix. Or, if you’re really smart, you do both, like Mortal Kombat II. Karl Urban is joining the series as Hollywood martial artist star Johnny Cage. And the film’s latest trailer shows he’s ready to answer the call (sheet) on greatness.
Well, kinda. Eventually it seems like he’ll answer it.
This latest look at Mortal Kombat II is full of iconic characters from the video game series. There’s plenty of Shao Kahn, who will fulfill his natural role as the sequel’s big baddie. We also love the look of Baraka we get at the end. But this promo, like almost every one for the film, revolves around Urban’s Cage. As does the the film’s official synopsis:
From New Line Cinema comes the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, Mortal Kombat II. This time, the fan favorite champions—now joined by Johnny Cage himself—are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.
The legendary character was only teased at the end of the 2021 film, but he’s poised to play a huge role as one of Earth’s protectors this time around. Even if he doesn’t want to initially. (Don’t blame. We do not blame him.) Will Earth need him because Lewis Tan’s Cole Young won’t survive? Outside the briefest of flashes, the star of the first film is strangely absent from this trailer.
We do know, though, Tan will appear in the film from returning director Simon McQuoid. As will stars Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Damon Herriman, Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada. We’ll find out how many of them will find the same greatness Johnny Cage craves when Mortal Kombat II finally arrives in theaters on May 8.