
Mortal Kombat II Trailer: Karl Urban As Johnny Cage Is Ready To Fight
Action lovers were in for a treat on Thursday, July 17, when Warner Bros unveiled the much-awaited trailer of Mortal Kombat II. The film, helmed by Simon McQuoid, is the sequel to the director's 2021 hit Mortal Kombat. Actor Karl Urban, who impressed viewers with his performance in the 2019 Prime Video series The Boys, plays the lead in this upcoming action fantasy. He joins the franchise as the fan-favourite character, Johnny Cage — a Hollywood playboy. Mortal Kombat II is scheduled for release on October 24.
The trailer hints at a brewing fight aka the famed Mortal Kombat Tournament. If you recall the first movie, Outerworld sorcerer Shang Tsung, played by Chin Han, was on a mission to eradicate the champions of the Earth before the Tournament between warriors belonging to different realms. So it was not a surprise when the trailer opened to Shang Tsung's chilling voice-over saying, 'Earthrealm's victory was just the beginning. Now, we strike back."
Johnny Cage's humorous one-liners and swagger soon come to an end as he is recruited by Raiden and Sonya Blade for the Tournament. The trailer is also replete with brutal action sequences, violence and a layered aggression, typical of Mortal Kombat films. One particular scene teases an intense face-off between Johnny Cage and Baraka, adding to the intrigue. It is the story of Johnny Cage, who trains himself diligently and gradually earns a place among the fighters. The trailer ends with the looming battle with a lurking uncertainty, where if Earth fighters fail to win, Shao Kahn, the overlord of the Outerworld, will take over.
Mortal Kombat II marks the return of Mehcad Brooks as Jackson Briggs, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero and Ludi Lin as Liu Kang. Adeline Rudolph, best known for movies like Resident Evil and Hellboy: The Crooked Man, is the only new cast member. He will slip into the shoes of Kitana.
The Mortal Kombat film franchise is based on the 90s video game series by Ed Boon and John Tobias. As per Boon, Karl Urban's appearance in Mortal Kombat II plays a 'big part" in the universe and what the latest film explores.
view comments
First Published:
July 18, 2025, 18:02 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
12 minutes ago
- News18
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Vs Anupamaa: Ekta Kapoor Denies Tension, Says 'Rupali Is A Big Star'
Last Updated: Ektaa Kapoor responds to rumours about tension between Kyunki reboot and Anupamaa, says pitting women and shows against each other is "so uncalled for." The iconic Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, starring Smriti Irani, is making a big return to television, and while fans are excited, the internet has been buzzing with gossip about drama brewing between TV's two biggest shows. Some reports suggested that Anupamaa, the hit daily soap led by Rupali Ganguly, was feeling the heat from Kyunki's grand comeback. But Ektaa Kapoor isn't having any of it. Speaking to Brut in a recent chat, Ektaa addressed the online noise around supposed tension between the two shows – and she made her thoughts very clear. 'Yesterday I was seeing some videos of Anupamaa having a problem as Kyunki is coming. I felt that was in such bad taste. She [Rupali] is such a big star. Anupamaa, the show, the creator Rajan… has done what nobody else could do in the last seven years. They will continue to be number 1. They should continue to be number 1." She also pushed back on how the industry and fans sometimes create unnecessary rivalries, especially between women in the spotlight. 'We are coming in for our purpose. To tell our story. These unfair comparisons between lead characters and lead shows is so unnecessary and pitting women against each other, pitting content against each other is so uncalled for." For context, Anupamaa, created by Rajan Shahi, has been a dominant force on Indian television. It gave Rupali Ganguly a huge comeback and has struck a chord with audiences through its focus on family conflicts, generational shifts, and the realities of adult relationships. On the other hand, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi needs no introduction. The original series, produced by Ektaa under Balaji Telefilms, ran for more than eight years and over 1,800 episodes, becoming one of the most iconic Indian serials of its time. Now, the much-anticipated reboot is all set to air from 29 July at 10.30 pm on Star Plus and JioHotstar. A new promo features Tulsi speaking about the importance of values in a fast-changing world. The show will mark the return of Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay as the iconic Tulsi and Mihir Virani. The new chapter will also feature actors, including Hiten Tejwani, Gauri Pradhan, Shakti Anand, Kamalika Guha Thakurta, Shagun Sharma, Rohit Suchanti, Aman Gandhi, Ankit Bhatia, and Tanisha Mehta. First Published: July 29, 2025, 07:50 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
12 minutes ago
- News18
Dilip Kumar And Raj Kapoor's Historic Pakistan Homes To Be Turned Into Museums
Last Updated: The ancestral homes of Indian cinema legends Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar in Peshawar are being restored and converted into heritage museums. In the narrow, bustling lanes of Peshawar's Qissa Khwani Bazaar lie two ageing structures that once echoed with the footsteps of two boys who would grow up to become giants of Indian cinema. They were Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Now, decades later, the ancestral homes of these screen legends are being given a new lease of life. The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has officially begun work to restore and convert these iconic properties into heritage museums, suggests reports. According to officials, the restoration project began on Monday and is expected to be completed over the next two years at an estimated cost of Rs 70 million. The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has been entrusted with bringing the homes back to their original form, carefully preserving the architecture that reflects early 20th-century colonial influences. 'The project's goal is to preserve our province's historical and cultural identity while also encouraging heritage tourism," said Dr Abdus Samad, Director of Archaeology. He added that the effort would also create job opportunities and support the local economy. The transformation is part of a broader initiative backed by the World Bank aimed at revitalising cultural landmarks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 'With the support of the World Bank, these projects will revolutionise the tourism sector in the province. Our aim is to make Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's beautiful cultural landmarks a focal point for tourists worldwide," said Zahid Khan Shinwari, the provincial government's Advisor for Tourism. The houses were officially declared national heritage sites by former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on July 13, 2014. Since then, there has been a growing call from cinema lovers and historians alike to protect and honour these properties. Once completed, the museums will be dedicated to showcasing the lives, legacies, and cinematic journeys of Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar — two towering figures whose influence helped define the golden era of Hindi cinema. First Published: July 29, 2025, 07:40 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
27 minutes ago
- News18
Ahaan Panday Saiyaara Fees: Gupt Director Says Actor Deserves Rs 100 Core
Last Updated: Rajiv Rai blames producers for bloated star fees, says actor pay should match box office results – citing Ahaan Panday's Saiyaara's success as proof. Bollywood's debate over actor salaries is heating up yet again. Veteran filmmaker Rajiv Rai, famed for the Kajol-starrer Gupt, has put the spotlight on producers, arguing they're fueling the trensd of unsustainably high star fees. On Bollywood Hungama, Rai didn't mince words. He said, 'I would blame the producers because they are willing to pay. An actor can even quote Rs 1,000 crore. It's basic demand and supply. Since there's more money in the market now, everyone's chasing glamour over substance." He criticised the reliance on star power over storytelling, saying producers often ignore the script in favor of glam appeal. 'They think audiences will show up just because a certain actor is in the film. But glamour doesn't sell alone. They don't even bother to look closely at the script." To underline his point, Rajiv Rai painted this vivid picture. 'There might be lakhs of fans gathered outside a star's home, but these same people won't buy tickets to see their film. They're not loyal. They won't open their wallet unless the content connects." Rai says a smart fee model would link an actor's pay to box office returns: 'Here's how I calculate an actor's fee: whatever I pay them, they must recover for me on Day 1. If I want to be generous, I'll give them three days. If I've paid Rs 100 crore to an actor, then the film must make that back within three days of release. That's when they truly deserve the money." He added a cheeky example saying that Ahaan Panday deserves Rs 100 crore for his film simply if he is able to bring in that money. 'So, when someone comes to me and asks for Rs 10 crore, I simply say: I'll give you my first day's collection." This argument comes as Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's Saiyaara dominates the box office. The film pulled in Rs 21.5 crore on Day 1, then rose to Rs 26 crore and Rs 35.75 crore over the next two days—grossing Rs 83 crore in India over its opening weekend. It crossed Rs 100 crore worldwide in just three days and has reached Rs 250 crore domestically in 10 days. With this, Saiyaara has officially crossed Rs 250 crore net in India and over Rs 300 crore worldwide—making it one of the biggest sleeper hits of 2025. The film is now eyeing the Rs 275 crore mark domestically by the end of its second week. Ahaan Panday is the nephew of Chunky Pandey and his father is Chikki Panday. He is the brother of Ananya Panday and Alaana Panday. First Published: July 29, 2025, 07:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.