Mortal Kombat 2, the sequel to the 2021 hit video game adaptation, will begin streaming on HBO Max from 24 July after earning $129 million at the worldwide box office. Deadline reported the development.
Director Simon McQuoid returned to helm the sequel after making his feature directorial debut with the first Mortal Kombat film.
The story follows Johnny Cage, a martial arts actor who joins the thunder god Raiden and military officer Sonya Blade after they recruit him to fight alongside Earth’s champions in an inter-dimensional tournament against the warriors of Outworld. Together, the Earthrealm fighters battle to stop the tyrannical emperor Shao Kahn, aided by the deadly Edenian princess Kitana.
The sequel introduces several new characters from the popular video game franchise. The Boys star Karl Urban plays Johnny Cage, while Adeline Rudolph portrays Kitana. Tati Gabrielle appears as Jade, Kitana’s childhood friend, and Damon Herriman plays the dark wizard Quan Chi. Martyn Ford stars as the Outworld emperor Shao Kahn, Ana Thu Nguyen plays Queen Sindel, Desmond Chiam portrays King Jerrod, and CJ Bloomfield takes on the role of the fearsome fighter Baraka.
Several cast members also return from the original film. Lewis Tan reprises his role as Cole Young, while Jessica McNamee returns as Sonya Blade. Ludi Lin once again plays Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks returns as Jackson “Jax” Briggs, Josh Lawson reprises Kano, Chin Han returns as Shang Tsung, and Tadanobu Asano plays Raiden. Hiroyuki Sanada reprises Scorpion, Joe Taslim returns as Sub-Zero, and Max Huang once again appears as Kung Lao, the warrior known for wielding his razor-sharp hat.
