These 7 roles played by Karl Urban will make you eagerly wait for Mortal Kombat Il

Karl Urban has always brought an edge, intensity, and a little bit of charm to class acting roles. From action thrillers to epic fantasy adventures to sci-fi dramas, he has carved out a career portraying tough, complex, and wholly unforgettable characters. Now that Urban is officially cast as Johnny Cage for Mortal Kombat II, the excitement among fans is sky-high.

Johnny Cage isn’t just a fighter; he is an in-your-face, comedic, and utterly bombastic personality with style. From what we can tell, Urban perfectly fits the bill for the role.

These seven roles will build your case for why Karl Urban is not just an amazing actor but the perfect Johnny Cage. And once you watch them again, you'll start counting the days until Mortal Kombat II releases.

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These 7 roles played by Karl Urban will make you eagerly wait for Mortal Kombat Il

1. Billy Butcher – The Boys

Billy Butcher in The Boys is one of the wildest roles Urban has ever done. He is a brutal, sarcastic, and clever man who fights the corrupt superheroes. Urban's commanding screen presence and alternate unpredictable energy keep Butcher scary one time and funny another. Season 4 has Butcher going even further - his body breaking down from the use of temporary powers.

This intensity with a vulnerable spin is exactly what Jason will need for Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat II. After all, if Karl can bring home the bacon with a full-on show as insane as The Boys, just imagine him in a fight arena.

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2. Éomer – The Lord of the Rings

Before Karl Urban became a household name, he was cast as Éomer in The Lord of the Rings films. The brave leader of the Riders of Rohan rode to battle with honor and courage that knew no bounds. He seemed not to have much screen time. However, Urban made an unforgettable impression with his emotional soliloquies and the very presence of a warrior standing before you.

That horseback riding and sword fighting were epic. The fans loved that he was such a natural fit within their fantasy world. Now with Mortal Kombat II, he jumps back onto another intense battlefield—but this time with punches, kicks, and Cage's grin.

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3. Detective John Kennex – Almost Human

Karl Urban looks hardened, cultured, and very 2048, his partner being technically an android with lots of personality. Urban brings heart to Kennex and makes this story about sci-fi themes set in anguish, technology, and trust quite soulful. Urban's blend of anger, dry wit, and controlled emotion shows through even in the show's only season, proving he can handle action-packed scenes while giving depth to his character.

More than just muscle-playing, Johnny Cage demands attitude, timing, and presence. Urban has proven that he can carry those aspects in the mayhem of a futuristic world that can only bode well for Mortal Kombat.

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4. Skurge – Thor: Ragnarok

In Thor: Ragnarok, Karl Urban portrayed Skurge, a comic book baddie brimming with swagger but inwardly insecure. He initially begins to pursue power but gradually learns the price of treachery. Urban brought humor and charisma to a part that might have been dull. His redemption moment, dual-wielding machine guns as he battles for good, is one to remember.

Fans still bring it up years later. Skurge demonstrated how Urban can pull off funny and tragic in the same character, something Johnny Cage would require. If Cage can crack jokes in the middle of a battle and still be a hero, Urban has already proven that he can do it.

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5. Ghost – Pathfinder

Urban's part in Pathfinder was one of action and ferocity. He portrayed Ghost, a Viking brought up by Native Americans, who protects them against invaders. The film met with little success at the box office, but Urban's performance wasn't overlooked. He doesn't utter much, but you sense every feeling through his eyes and actions.

This performance demonstrates that he does not require a large script to own the screen. As Johnny Cage, he will have to mesh brash action with emotion, and Pathfinder demonstrates that he can do so without the one-liners.

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6. Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy – Star Trek Series

Karl Urban portrayed Dr. McCoy, or "Bones," in the Star Trek reboot films. This role was a departure from his typical macho parts, as it allowed his comedic and compassionate sides to shine through. Armed with wicked humor and cranky magnetism, he put a new spin on the legendary character. His rapport with the crew, particularly Spock and Kirk, made every scene crackle.

Karl Urban added emotional depth even in a science-fiction context. It demonstrated he doesn't merely shoot and punch; he can act from the heart. Flashy as Johnny Cage may be, Urban's turn as Bones illustrates he can steal scenes with wit and timing.

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7. John Grimm – Doom

Doom was not a masterpiece, but Karl Urban didn't hold back as John Grimm, a marine battling monsters on Mars. He navigated the blend of horror, action, and science fiction professionally. In a movie that didn't quite work, Urban's steady intensity made him stand out. He demonstrated good combat prowess and didn't have to strain to sell fear and violence.

Strangely enough, Doom was one of his first video game films. Now he's returned to that arena with Mortal Kombat II. This time, however, with improved directing and a fan-favorite character, Urban's acting may be able to shatter the "video game jinx."

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Karl Urban's filmography speaks to every facet of his combined range, hardness, and charisma, making him the deadliest choice for Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat II. Be it an outraged warrior, a snarky anti-hero, or an unfazed fighter, he always manages to add a certain flair to his performances. Casting directors saw exactly what Karl Urban brought to the table in these seven chosen screen outings.

From that point, with his wit and gravitas, Karl Urban is poised to recreate Johnny Cage like no one else, and frankly, we're not patient enough to see it.