Mortal Kombat 2 cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the upcoming action sequel?

The tournament’s back, the blood’s redder, and the vibes are lethal as Mortal Kombat 2 is coming in hot with a stacked cast, bigger brawls, and enough chaos to make even the Elder Gods nervous. The sequel levels up everything: new characters, old grudges, wild powers, and yes, even more jaw-dropping fatalities.

Whether you're here for the lore, the carnage, or just want to see someone get kicked into another realm, this guide’s got you covered. We’re breaking down who’s stepping into the arena this time around, so grab your popcorn and let’s get into the Mortal Kombat 2 fight.

Karl Urban as Johnny Cage

Still from Mortal Kombat 2 (Image via YouTube @/Warner Bros.)

Karl Urban brings swagger and grit to Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2, marking the high‑profile entrance of a fan‑favorite absent from the original film. As a washed‑up Hollywood star dragged into Earthrealm’s Mortal Kombat tournament, Cage injects much‑needed humor, charisma, and cinematic flair into the brutal universe. Although some diehards questioned whether he fits the classic Cage mold, early trailer reactions show he’s earned jaw‑dropping moments and laughs alike.

Urban opened up on his character as he told IGN,

“We start him at a very low point. His career is completely in the dumps. He has no self-confidence. He has neglected his martial arts training. And at his lowest point, he gets called up to, essentially, be a warrior that represents the Earthrealm and fight for the very future of humanity. And as I read the script, I found it just such a compelling, interesting, dynamic journey. We start this character in one place, and as an audience, we get to see him evolve and grow.”

Adeline Rudolph as Kitana

Adeline Rudolph steps into the realm as Kitana, bringing elegance, edge, and serious fan‑favorite energy to the film’s fiercest princess. The Hong Kong–born, German‑Korean actress made waves on Netflix series like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Resident Evil before snagging one of the most coveted roles in the franchise.

Kitana, Edenia’s royal rebel armed with steel fans and a legacy rich in betrayal and vengeance, finds a poised and intense embodiment in Rudolph. With fans already celebrating the casting as “perfect,” she may just redefine the role for a new generation.

Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade

Jessica McNamee returns as the femme fatale Sonya Blade in Mortal Kombat 2, doubling down on authority, tactical precision, and emotional weight. Stepping into the veteran Special Forces major’s boots again, she anchors Earthrealm’s champions with both grit and heart.

To nail the role, she dove into fandom lore, googling Sonya, bingeing YouTube matchups, and obsessively reading up on the character’s signature style. Intensive martial‑arts training, stunt prep, and hours tracking knife moves and wire work prepped her for the brutality ahead. With McNamee at the helm, Sonya promises to deliver authority, emotional resonance, and some seriously killer moves.

Josh Lawson as Kano

Josh Lawson returns as Kano in Mortal Kombat 2, reprising his fan‑favorite antihero with fresh ferocity and savage wit. His take on the Aussie mercenary cracked up audiences, and many fans said he stole the show in the 2021 reboot thanks to his improv fire and charisma.

Opening up on his resurrection, game creator Ed Boon told Entertainment Weekly,

"We've killed a number of characters who are in Mortal Kombat 1 and our latest games. So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that. There are ways to bring dead characters back."

Ludi Lin as Liu Kang

Opening Night Gala Of 27th Vancouver Asian Film Festival - Source: Getty

Ludi Lin returns as the flame-wielding heart of Earthrealm, Liu Kang, in Mortal Kombat 2, bringing a grounded intensity shaped by fandom and martial arts roots. A die‑hard growing up, Lin played Mortal Kombat 2 religiously and even committed to only using Liu Kang as his character while filming.

He trained hard for the iconic Dragon Fire strikes with stability‑ and power‑drills to make every move feel real, even before the FX fired up.

Tati Gabrielle as Jade

Tati Gabrielle brings lethal elegance to Jade in Mortal Kombat 2, stepping into the green-clad assassin who’s both Kitana’s secret weapon and Shao Kahn’s fierce enforcer.

Gabrielle, best known from You, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Uncharted, officially joined the cast in May 2023 after final negotiations confirmed her role. Jade’s signature bo‑staff, immunity to projectiles, and shadowy stealth are in capable hands as Gabrielle leans into the character’s lethal grace and betrayal-laced loyalty.

Tadanobu Asano as Raiden

Tadanobu Asano returns as Lord Raiden, embodying the thunder god with stoic authority and seasoned gravitas. Fluent in Japanese cinema and MCU credibility as Hogun, he leans into Raiden’s protective leadership rather than flashy heroics, giving the character emotional weight.

Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion

Hiroyuki Sanada reprises his iconic role as Hanzo Hasashi, Scorpion, bringing gravitas, tragedy, and practiced martial artistry to the undead ninja specter.

In 2021, the actor opened up on his preparation for the role as he told Entertainment Weekly,

"This was my first time playing a famous game character. Everyone knows his weapons and style. So, I felt a lot of pressure. I tried to create an original style. Since Hanzo Hasashi is a character of Japanese descent, I tried to make authentic movements."

Having studied the classics, replayed arcade games, and rehearsed his “Get over here!” spear move to perfection, he’s touted as franchise dream casting.