Mortal Kombat II May Be Setting Up Cole Young For An Ironic Fate

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Summary

  • Mortal Kombat II shifts focus to Johnny Cage, potentially signaling an ironic fate for prior protagonist Cole Young.
  • Cole Young was an original character for 2021’s Mortal Kombat that fans hated.
  • Fans anticipate Cole meeting a fate similar to Johnny Cage’s early demise in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.

In the upcoming sequel to “Mortal Kombat II”, Cole Young might find himself in an unexpected predicament as the plot seemingly veers towards Johnny Cage. When the original “Mortal Kombat” movie hit the screens in 2021, it offered viewers a film adaptation that beautifully captured the game’s iconic aesthetics and characters. The film was not only critically acclaimed but also financially successful, making its mark during the reopening of cinemas post-COVID-19 lockdowns, highlighting its strong pull on audiences returning to theaters.

The long-awaited trailer for Mortal Kombat II has finally dropped, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the characters and intense combat that fans are accustomed to. The sneak peek also hints at some innovative storylines for the sequel, introducing fresh characters such as Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage. Yet, the trailer for Mortal Kombat II leaves us guessing about Cole Young, sparking theories that his role might unfold with a surprising twist.

Mortal Kombat II Looks To Be Shifting Protagonists From Cole Young To Johnny Cage

MK Fans Have To Be Happy With That Development

In the 2021 Mortal Kombat adaptation, Lewis Tan portrays an entirely new character named Cole Young who was specifically designed for this film. Unlike other characters in the game, Cole hadn’t been introduced before, making him a fresh addition to the diverse cast of fighters. This unique creation aimed to provide viewers with a neutral perspective on the mystical realm inhabited by the other combatants. From a narrative standpoint, it was successful, but many gamers felt that Cole failed to generate the same level of enthusiasm as established characters, criticizing him as one of the film’s weaker elements.

It appears that Mortal Kombat II might be shifting its main character from the previous one, with Johnny Cage emerging as the likely lead in this new installment. The announcement of Karl Urban playing the beloved character generated excitement, and now, after seeing him in the trailer, it seems he has done justice to Cage. Interestingly, the trailer highlights Johnny as the central character, complemented by others such as Sonya, Jax, and even Kano. This could be a reaction to the criticism about Cole Young, but it leaves fans curious about what will become of the original protagonist now that he no longer holds this role.

Johnny Cage Led A Past Mortal Kombat Film, And Met His End Early In The Sequel

The Less Said About Annihilation, The Better

Johnny Cage has starred in a Mortal Kombat movie before, specifically the 1995 adaptation directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. In this film, three main characters were highlighted: Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Liu Kang. As portrayed in the games, Johnny Cage was depicted as an arrogant action star, surviving battles, with his fight against Goro being a memorable scene. The movie ended on a suspenseful note, implying Shao Kahn for a potential sequel.

In 1997, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation was released as a continuation of the first movie, continuing the storyline directly from where it left off. However, the sequel faced several issues such as recasting known characters, which created a disjointed viewing experience, and some of the most atrocious visual effects ever seen in cinema. Despite its flaws, the sequel decided to eliminate Johnny Cage in the opening scene, a character who was popular in the first movie. This move alienated many fans from the start and set the stage for the sequel’s decline. Many criticize Mortal Kombat: Annihilation as one of the worst video game adaptations ever made, but the franchise continued to thrive with gamers, and the 2021 film reboot has brought the series back to the big screen.

Fans Think Cole Young Could Meet A Similar Fate In Mortal Kombat II As Johnny Cage Takes Over

Say It Ain’t So, Johnny

Due to the trailer of Mortal Kombat II, viewers can anticipate Johnny Cage returning to cinemas, and he appears ready to reclaim his leading role for the sequel. Some fans surmise that the character may meet his end in the upcoming film because Cole is not featured in promotional materials. Mortal Kombat is famous for offing characters, as the games rely on it, but the movie’s elimination of Cole carries a touch of irony.

In 2021’s Mortal Kombat, Cole was the main character, but he wasn’t featured in the marketing for Mortal Kombat II. Fans are worried that this might mean a similar fate for him – an early death in the sequel. This is reminiscent of Johnny Cage’s quick exit from the franchise in 1997, after being the lead in 1995’s Mortal Kombat. Even though it’s not yet confirmed if Cole will meet a tragic end, it could be intriguing for fans to see this happen, given his previous character arc.

If Cole dies in Mortal Kombat II, it’s unlikely he’ll come back like Kano did. While there’s always a chance he could reappear or have a significant goodbye, given the game’s dark humor and frequent violent deaths, Cole might meet an ironically grim end similar to his replacement character. We don’t know yet what will happen to Cole, but since many fans want him gone, even if his role in the sequel is smaller, Mortal Kombat II could benefit from it.

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2025-08-03 18:04