Mortal Kombat II (2025). The highly waited for first trailer for Mortal Kombat II has officially dropped, promising a no-holds-barred, gory spectacle that lives up to the franchise’s brutal legacy. From New Line Cinema, this latest installment in the blockbuster video game adaptation will hit theaters and IMAX® on October 24, 2025, with international releases beginning two days earlier on October 22, 2025.
The trailer takes fans directly into the thick of the action, teasing the ultimate battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn. A formidable threat is looming over the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders. This time, the stakes feel higher, and for the first time in the current series, audiences will finally witness the full-blown Mortal Kombat tournament.
Watch the Official Mortal Kombat II (2025) Trailer
Karl Urban Steps Into the Spotlight as Johnny Cage
One of the most exciting confirmations is the full introduction of Karl Urban, best known for his role as Billy Butcher in The Boys. As the iconic, charismatic, and often arrogant Hollywood action star, Johnny Cage. Teased at the end of the 2021 film, Cage now takes center stage.
The trailer opens with a fan recognizing Johnny Cage from Citizen Cage, suggesting a reboot, which Cage shrugs off as “out in the ’90s.” It’s a meta nod to Mortal Kombat’s own rebooted history.
Initially, Cage is a reluctant participant, telling Raiden’s team, “I’m not some champion. I don’t have Transformer arms… or shoot lightning bolts. This sht’s got nothing to do with me. I’m an actor.”*
But as the trailer builds, Johnny Cage embraces his role, ultimately declaring, “All right, you big, ugly f*. It’s showtime.”
Fans are also treated to Cage performing his signature split-punch move, and even Scorpion’s famous, “Get over here!”
When asked about his powers, Cage simply replies, “I’m just incredibly handsome.”
Trailer Breakdown: Hidden Details, Returning Faces, & Easter Eggs Spotted
Mortal Kombat II’s trailer isn’t just a highlight reel for Cage. Here are some confirmed details and Easter eggs:
- Johnny Cage as the New Lead: Johnny Cage replaces Cole Young as the main audience viewpoint character, asking the “what is Mortal Kombat?” questions as a way to introduce newcomers while giving longtime fans someone familiar.
- Katana’s Backstory: We get glimpses of Katana’s steel fans and a flashback to her father King Jerrod’s murder by Shao Kahn, setting up her personal revenge arc.
- Jade’s Aerodynamic Redesign: Jade appears bald in this version. Though a departure from her video game look, it’s likely a practical update for combat realism.
- Baraka’s Practical Makeup Effects: Baraka combines CGI with physical prosthetics for a grounded, gritty appearance. The choreography between him and Johnny Cage shows practical fight scene attention to detail.
- Netherrealm & Noob Saibot Reveal: Scorpion fights a resurrected Sub-Zero now known as Noob Saibot. A direct nod to Mortal Kombat lore from the games.
- Returning Dead Characters: Kano and Kung Lao, both killed in the first film, reappear. This resurrection is explained by Quan Chi’s dark sorcery. A key plot device from the games is now brought to the screen.
- Possible Spoiler Shots: The trailer shows Katana apparently delivering a final blow to Shao Kahn, possibly revealing a key climactic scene. Some fans feel the trailer gave away too much, though others argue it might just be clever editing.
The Cast Of Mortal Kombat II (2025): Returning Champions and Deadly Newcomers
Returning cast members:
- Lewis Tan as Cole Young
- Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade
- Josh Lawson as Kano
- Ludi Lin as Liu Kang
- Mehcad Brooks as Jax
- Tadanobu Asano as Raiden
- Joe Taslim as Bi-Han
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
- Max Huang as Kung Lao
- Chin Han as Shang Tsung
New additions:
- Karl Urban as Johnny Cage
- Adeline Rudolph as Kitana
- Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn
- Tati Gabrielle as Jade
- Ana Thu Nguyen as Sindel
- Damon Herriman as Quan Chi
- CJ Bloomfield as Baraka
Additional appearances:
- Sophia Xu as Young Kitana
- Desmond Chiam as King Jerrod
- Kyle Wyatt as Mob Leader
- Joel McHale in an undisclosed role
Behind the Camera Of Mortal Kombat II
Director Simon McQuoid returns alongside:
- Stephen F. Windon (Director of Photography)
- Yohei Taneda (Production Designer)
- Stuart Levy (Editor)
- Cappi Ireland (Costume Designer)
- Benjamin Wallfisch (Music Composer)
The screenplay is by Jeremy Slater, based on the video game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias.
Produced by Todd Garner, James Wan, Toby Emmerich, E. Bennett Walsh, and Simon McQuoid, with Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Jeremy Slater, and Lawrence Kasanoff as executive producers.
Release Dates
New Line Cinema presents an Atomic Monster/Broken Road Production, a Fireside Films Production:
Mortal Kombat II
- North America: October 24, 2025
- International: Beginning October 22, 2025