Mortal Kombat II unveils striking character posters, giving a glimpse of the cast and their unique roles

Mortal Kombat II is an upcoming American martial arts fantasy film written by Jeremy Slater and directed by Simon McQuoid. Based on the iconic video game series created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, it is a direct sequel to the 2021 movie, Mortal Kombat. The narrative follows Cole Young's quest as he gathers Earthrealm champions to fight the Outworld invasion. The movie is slated to be released on October 24, 2025, in theaters across the United States. 

Building up to the Mortal Kombat tournament, Mortal Kombat II marks the first appearance of Jonny Cage in the series, played by Karl Urban. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have released 16 dramatic character posters on Thursday, July 17, which resemble the original Mortal Kombat game selection screen. Famous fighters featuring in the collection include Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, Jax, Kitana, Jade, and Shao Kahn.

The story of Mortal Kombat II picks up where the first film ends, as Cole Young, an MMA fighter, learns of his secret ancestry when Sub-Zero pursues him on Shang Tsung's orders. Cole joins Earthrealm's champions, Sonya, Jax, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Kano, in search of safety, under Lord Raiden's leadership. To save his family and combat the threat posed by Outworld, he learns to unleash his arcana, the immense power from within his soul.

Exploring the cast of Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat II features an incredible cast of both new and old characters from the Mortal Kombat universe. Karl Urban takes center stage as Johnny Cage, the brazen Hollywood actor who joins Earthrealm's champions; his performance is renowned for fusing humor and nuance. Lewis Tan makes a comeback as Bloodline heir and MMA fighter Cole Young, who keeps leading the tournament push. Jessica McNamee reprises her role as Sonya Blade, Mehcad Brooks plays Jax Briggs, Joe Taslim plays Sub-Zero/Bi-Han, and Hiroyuki Sanada plays Scorpion, all continuing their roles from the previous film.

Martyn Ford makes a commanding entrance in the Outworld as Shao Kahn, who will be the main antagonist controlling the tournament stakes. Two legendary warriors, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana and Tati Gabrielle as Jade, bring fresh faces to the team. Desmond Chiam as King Jerrod, Max Huang returning Kung Lao, CJ Bloomfield as Baraka, Damon Herriman as Quan Chi, and Ana Thu Nguyen as Sindel are some of the other notable additions.

What is the plot of Mortal Kombat II?

The final round. Realms will kollide. #MortalKombatMovie pic.twitter.com/a2MNRY4pNy

— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) July 17, 2025

Mortal Kombat II puts Earth's champions at a disadvantage on enemy territory, launching the battle directly into the storied tournament, which is now conducted on Outworld. The stakes are raised by Kahn's impending danger as Shang Tsung, who has been revitalized by Shao Kahn, commands the Outworld forces: Invasion is the result of Earth's loss. Heroes such as Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, Jax, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and newcomer Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) come together under Raiden's leadership to face this existential dilemma. 

The storyline combines intense fighting with intense passion; Cage, a former Hollywood star who is now a fighter, adds humor and charm. As the tournament progresses visually, with surprising character returns from the NetherRealm and shocking events, score-driven battles determine Earth's fate.

The story is further developed by subplots like loyalty, resurrection, and new alliances, while fan-favorite bouts, such as Scorpion vs. Sub-Zero, reignite legendary rivalries as the conflict intensifies. With its animated deaths, spectacular visuals, and the destiny of Earth at stake, Mortal Kombat II is an exhilarating sequel to its predecessor. 

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