2021’s Mortal Kombat may have disappointed fans with the lack of one significant character, but that isn’t the case with the newest addition to the franchise. Entertainment Weekly has released exclusive set photos featuring Karl Urban in the highly anticipated role of Johnny Cage. Co-creator of the IP, Ed Boon, addresses the big elephant in the room, the famous character of the video game franchise.

“You finally get to see Johnny Cage. His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores. He’s a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He’s adding his own flare to it, but I think it’ll feel fresh. There’s like a novelty factor in there.”

Fans were delighted at the news of The Boys’ Urban cinching the role of Cage. Up until now, there was only a single poster that winked at the audience. The image was of the Mortal Kombat in-world movie entitled Citizen Cage, made complete with Urban decked in sunglasses in front of action sequences typical of such fare. This was the perfect way to introduce the Hollywood actor character viewers have been waiting for for years.

Karl Urban Brings the Right Balance to ‘Mortal Kombat’

A look at the upcoming #MortalKombat movie’s #JohnnyCage, #SonyaBlade, #Jax & #LiuKang!

Also, #MortalKombat1 will be receiving movie skins of @KarlUrban‘s Johnny Cage, @AdelineRudo’s #Kitana & MartynFordOfficial’s #ShaoKahn!

Are you excited for the #MortalKombatMovie release? pic.twitter.com/jDbHrAZbT4

— The Realm Kast: Mortal Kombat Online (@RealmKast) March 17, 2025

Fans have long waited to see Johnny Cage come to life for a new generation, and creatives promise it is worth the wait. There was a concern that introducing the actor into the world of a high-stakes fighting tournament wouldn’t be a hit with audiences. Karl Urban was the right choice to strike the perfect balance of humor and seriousness, says director Simon McQuoid.

“We wanted a character that wasn’t just completely silly, comic book…It’s a character that could instantly go there and become too light and throwaway if we were to lean too much into the kind of cheese,” McQuoid remarks. “The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth.”

Ironically enough, Urban has already proven himself in comic book fare. The Lord of the Rings actor is saying goodbye to his character Billy Butcher in the final season of Amazon Prime’s The Boys. Garth Ennis’ comic isn’t what some typically think of when it comes to superheroes, making Urban another good choice. Over the course of five seasons, Butcher has become the villain of the story as he tries to defeat the evil Superman proxy, Homelander (Antony Starr). While not entirely silly, Mortal Kombat will be a satisfying break from such heavy material.

Viewers can catch Urban in the celebrated Johnny Cage when Mortal Kombat 2 premieres on October 24, 2025.