Karl Urban is known for playing strong, resilient characters, but he says his role as Johnny Cage in the new Mortal Kombat II was his most challenging yet. He even hinted that this role pushed him more than his popular character, Billy Butcher, from The Boys (available on Amazon Prime Video).
Karl Urban recently told Entertainment Weekly that filming Mortal Kombat II came at a good time, right after he finished working on The Boys. However, he said that preparing for the video game movie was much more physically demanding than he expected, and he found it more challenging than enjoyable. He went on to explain:
I was going through a bit of a lull, honestly. I had the energy and was ready to work, but nothing really grabbed me. Then, thankfully, about a week later, the script for Mortal Kombat landed on my desk – talk about perfect timing!
Look, Karl Urban’s seen some stuff on screen. Between brutally taking down bad guys in Dredd and enduring some seriously wild action in his Amazon series, you’d think he’d be used to getting beat up. And apparently, he wanted more! Well, he definitely got his wish. Here’s what happened next…
I requested a physically demanding action movie, and I definitely got one. It was the most difficult role of my career. It involved a lot of martial arts, which require very specific forms and styles. The fight choreography was incredibly precise, with every movement carefully planned, and it needed perfect execution to look convincing. It was a huge undertaking.
While The Boys is famous for its wild and violent scenes, Mortal Kombat II demands a more controlled approach. The fighting in Mortal Kombat II is carefully choreographed, visually striking, and requires precise technique. Actor Urban had to relearn how to move, focusing on accuracy instead of raw power.
The new installment also focuses on Johnny Cage and where he is in his life. As previously reported, Cage is now a former Hollywood actor who’s seen better days. He was once a promising martial artist who starred in cheap action films, but now mostly does appearances at conventions. This history allowed the actor, known for his work in Lord of the Rings, to combine humor with impressive fighting skills, particularly in important battles like his fight with Kitana.
The Star Trek actor even noted that Johnny’s fighting reminded him of Jackie Chan’s films, which often blend comedy with a sense of the character being somewhat clumsy. Director Simon McQuoid explained that this was deliberate – they wanted Johnny to seem capable, but not completely ready for the challenges he faced.
Karl Urban was looking for a more challenging role, and Mortal Kombat II provided exactly that. His comments, perhaps a lighthearted tease about his character Billy Butcher, suggest he was eager to push himself creatively and take on a completely different kind of challenge.
We’ll see the results when Mortal Kombat II hits the 2026 movie calendar in theaters on May 8, 2026.
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2025-12-31 22:08