The Best Versions Of Johnny Cage In Mortal Kombat

Key Takeaways

Mortal Kombat
history shows Johnny Cage’s evolution from tragic movie death to iconic hero through games and adaptations.
Depictions of Johnny Cage vary widely, from tragic reality star to comedic relief, but overall, he remains memorable.
Mortal Kombat 11
marks the peak of Johnny’s character development in the altered timeline, showing his growth and humility.

As a longtime fan of the Mortal Kombat series, I must say that the evolution of Johnny Cage throughout these games is nothing short of spectacular! From his humble beginnings as a cocky actor seeking fame to becoming one of Earthrealm’s greatest champions, Johnny has certainly come a long way.

Liu Kang, Sub-Zero, and Scorpion are the primary representatives of the “Mortal Kombat” series. But ever since his introduction in the initial game, Johnny Cage has consistently been a prominent figure; this longevity has made him a beloved character among fans, from the original game up to “Mortal Kombat 1”.

Yet, similar to every character within the Mortal Kombat series, the leading actor-turned-realm savior has experienced highs and lows throughout a span of three decades across games, films, and even television. Not all portrayals were successful, but some have left an indelible mark on the character for eternity.

14 Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

Wasted An Iconic Character In The Opening Scene

The Best Versions Of Johnny Cage In Mortal Kombat

Linden Ashby was replaced as Johnny Cage because, unsurprisingly, he disliked the script for Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.
Robin Shou as Liu Kang and Talisa Soto as Kitana were the only actors to reprise their roles for the sequel.

Right from the get-go, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation didn’t hold back on demonstrating its significant step down from the initial film. Within the first ten minutes alone, Johnny Cage, who was a beloved character in the first movie, was not only replaced by a new actor (as were many other cast members), but he was also written off, meeting an untimely end.

Fans of Johnny Cage, eagerly anticipating a great continuation of the Mortal Kombat storyline, were left disappointed when the movie introduced his signature Shadow Kick move from the games. However, Shao Kahn countered it and ended up fatally breaking Johnny Cage’s neck, leaving fans in disbelief that Mortal Kombat: Annihilation was not the epic sequel they had expected.

13 Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance & Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

The 3D Era Was Not The Greatest Era For Johnny Cage

The first time Johnny Cage was depicted as a blonde.
Deadly Alliance was the first time Liu Kang was killed off in the games.

In the modern makeover, sporting blonde hair, Johnny Cage in “Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance” embodied a character typical of the 2000s era, with both positive and negative aspects. He retained his famous moves, but his combination attacks were underwhelming at best, owing to the contentious shift towards 360-degree movement that defined the 3D gaming era.

Regrettably, in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Johnny Cage didn’t undergo significant changes beyond improved handling. This game is often criticized for its lack of innovation, and Johnny Cage mirrored this criticism well, being rather unremarkable compared to other versions of him, especially during the 3D era.

12 Mortal Kombat: Legacy – Season 1

Tried To Make A Dark And Edgy Version Of Johnny

The first live-action adaptation to use Johnny’s modern catchphrase: “He got caged!”
Mortal Kombat: Legacy began as a concept trailer for a gritty Mortal Kombat movie reboot.

Johnny Cage was given a dark, gritty, and realistic take in the first season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy. He was a martial artist turned reality television star with extreme anger issues. It was a nice attempt to make Johnny Cage into a more tragic character, but there needed to be more of him for it to sink in.

Unfortunately, “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” primarily focused on Johnny, portrayed by Matt Mullins, for just one episode, as the show took an anthology approach. However, the second season veered off in a completely different direction. Consequently, Matt Mullins was replaced by Casper Van Dien, which makes the first season appear disconnected from the series continuity almost entirely.

11 Mortal Kombat: Legacy – Season 2

Johnny Cage Was Treated Like A Joke

Matt Mullins declined to come back as Johnny Cage.
Casper Van Dien was set to return for a third season before Mortal Kombat: Legacy was canceled, and it evolved into the 2021 movie.

In summary, the second season of “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” didn’t quite match up to its predecessor. Some characters were utilized excessively, while others received less attention they deserved, and a few were noticeably absent. The new Johnny Cage, played by Casper Van Dien, captured Johnny’s arrogant and boastful personality convincingly.

Unfortunately, Van Dien’s promising portrayal of Johnny Cage in “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” fell short because the series diminished Johnny from a skilled fighter into a character who predominantly complained and fled. Instead of showcasing his fighting prowess, he spent many episodes voicing complaints and avoiding confrontations. Even when he did fight, his eliminations were underwhelming, leading to a forgettable performance overall.

10 Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

Johnny Is Only Featured In Versus Mode

Johnny Cage can only be unlocked via a secret coin found in the Shaolin Monks story.
Another spin-off starring Scorpion and Sub-Zero was almost made, titled Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice.

Although Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is commendable for venturing into a fresh, God Of War-style hack-and-slash gameplay, it’s important to note that the game wasn’t focused on Johnny Cage. Instead, as the title implies, the story revolves around Liu Kang and Kung Lao, embarking on their unique journey nestled between the events of the first two Mortal Kombat games.

In contrast, the game Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks included Johnny as a secondary character within the narrative, and he could be accessed to play, but exclusively in the two-player Versus mode. Despite his performance being on par with other characters, suggesting a possibility for future games, this was the final instance of Mortal Kombat delving into spin-off titles.

9 Mortal Kombat (1992)

The Classic Is Still A Beloved Arcade Fighting Game

Originally, Mortal Kombat was going to be a Jean-Claude Van Damme game, but was retooled into Mortal Kombat when he rejected the project.
The gore in Mortal Kombat was so controversial that it led to the ESRB rating system being created.

The classic game “Mortal Kombat” was the catalyst, shaping the gaming landscape of the ’90s, pioneering mature content, and introducing us to Johnny Cage. His signature uppercut Fatality, which has since become legendary, serves as the initial Brutality move for all characters in both “Mortal Kombat 11” and “Mortal Kombat 1”.

Over time, one drawback of the classic Mortal Kombat game becomes apparent: while each character possesses unique special moves, their basic gameplay remains uniform – high punches, low punches, high kicks, and low kicks. As a result, it’s Johnny Cage’s style and flair that sets him apart, which is certainly not a negative aspect.

8 Mortal Kombat 2

Improved On The First Game In Almost Every Way

Johnny Cage first got his green magic abilities in Mortal Kombat 2.
The Friendships were made as a joke because of the controversy over Fatalities in the first game.

I stepped back into the arena in the immediate successor, Mortal Kombat 2, this time with fresh abilities up my sleeve. The reaction to me was identical to the game itself: bigger and better. From the enhanced sprite animations to the introduction of gruesome Fatalities, not to mention the hilarious Friendship finishers, Mortal Kombat 2 demonstrated that a sequel can indeed outshine its predecessor.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the unique green magic powers that have become synonymous with Johnny Cage. These powers have been an unchanging part of his character since they were first bestowed upon him, gracing every game in the series right up until the reboot of Mortal Kombat 1. What’s truly fascinating is how his autograph signing finisher became so iconic that it was continually referenced throughout subsequent games.

7 Mortal Kombat 4

The First Time Johnny Cage Was In 3D

Mortal Kombat 4 was the first game to introduce weapons in gameplay.
Mortal Kombat 4 was the last Mortal Kombat game to go to arcades.

Besides its controversial ending sequences, Mortal Kombat 4 was highly regarded as an exceptional fighting game. It notably reintroduced the character Johnny Cage, who had been missing from Mortal Kombat 3. This enhancement was a result of the gameplay in Mortal Kombat 4 offering a balanced blend between Mortal Kombat 3 and Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.

In the sequel called Mortal Kombat 4, they delved into three-dimensional graphics while preserving many innovations from Mortal Kombat 3. One of these advancements was the combo system, which added complexity to each character’s gameplay. Johnny, as usual, moves swiftly and boasts his signature special moves. He also sports a fresh design that stays true to his iconic persona.

6 Mortal Kombat Trilogy

Johnny Cage Was Given The Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Treatment

Mortal Kombat Trilogy was the last mainline game to use digitized actors as sprites.
Johnny Cage has only been missing from three mainline games: Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat: Deception, and Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe.

During the absence of Johnny Cage in both Mortal Kombat 3 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, his fans felt let down. Fortunately, they were compensated for their endurance when Midway released Mortal Kombat Trilogy, which merged gameplay and characters from the first three games to produce the finest combination of all three.

Johnny Cage finally returned to the franchise in Mortal Kombat Trilogy, sporting a fancier sprite, and was given the combo system from Mortal Kombat 3, which changed the way Mortal Kombat was played forever. Sadly, this version of Johnny is rarely remembered, since Mortal Kombat Trilogy does not have the same amount of adoration as Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.

5 Mortal Kombat (2011)

The Reboot Made Johnny Feel Familiar But Fresh

The first time Johnny featured a tattoo of his name.
Mortal Kombat 9 condenses the first three Mortal Kombat stories into one.

As a gamer, I was thrilled when NetherRealm Studios decided to reboot Mortal Kombat after the letdown of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. They used time travel to give us a fresh start, and Johnny Cage was one of the characters they revamped. His design harkened back to his origins, but with a modern twist to make him unique. This refresh brought out more swagger in his character, and he sported a tattoo of his name that became his signature look across three games in the series.

The game Mortal Kombat, often referred to as Mortal Kombat 9, combined classic 2D fighting with modern 3D characters, making it easy for everyone to play but offering complex layers to master for each character, including Johnny.

4 Mortal Kombat (1995)

The Movie Changed Johnny Cage For The Rest Of Time

Originally, Johnny Cage was going to be played by Jean-Claude Van Damme in the movie, but he turned it down, just like he did with the original game.
Johnny’s fight with Scorpion in the Nether Realm was added later and was directed by Liu Kang’s actor, Robin Shou.

1995’s “Mortal Kombat” movie could be considered seminal in the history of Mortal Kombat media. At that time, there were no voiceovers or narratives within the Mortal Kombat games. As a result, the film had to innovate and create elements like the distinctive casting choices for characters such as Kano and Shang Tsung that have since become iconic.

In the “Mortal Kombat” film, Linden Ashby, who played Johnny, was both a charmingly arrogant Hollywood actor who brought humor to the role, and he could be sincere when necessary. This duality resulted in some of the most memorable lines from the movie that were later referenced in the games throughout the years. Essentially, the film version of Johnny paved the way for his iconic portrayals in the subsequent games.

3 Mortal Kombat X

The Older Johnny Cage Proved That He Is More Than Comic Relief

Andrew Bowen debuted with Mortal Kombat 10 and has been voicing Johnny Cage since.
In Mortal Kombat X, Johnny’s green magic is explained as him being the descendant of a Mediterranean war tribe bred to fight for the Gods.

In the game Mortal Kombat X, they built upon what made Johnny great in its predecessor, Mortal Kombat 9 , and took it to another level, effectively making him a central figure in the narrative. The storyline presented both flashbacks and present-day events that depicted Johnny’s transformation from a self-centered playboy to a devoted warrior and family man. Andrew Bowen was cast as Johnny, a role he played exceptionally well, earning him the title of the best actor to portray this character.

Even in terms of gameplay, Johnny is extremely fun to play with all three of his variations. Each one provides different pros and cons, so that it feels like learning three different versions of Johnny while mastering him. The only downside is that his different designs are the most lackluster of all the NetherRealm Studios games.

2 Mortal Kombat 1

Johnny Cage Has Never Been Funnier

This Johnny no longer has green magic powers and instead features shadow powers akin to the very first Mortal Kombat.
Johnny features Jean-Claude Van Damme skins, voiced by the actor, thus bringing the franchise full circle.

Following the complete overhaul of the Mortal Kombat universe, Liu Kang spearheaded the revival of the series once more by introducing Mortal Kombat 1. In this new installment, Johnny Cage returns to his younger, arrogant self as he struggles to maintain his popularity. He’s no longer a family man, but his character development still follows a personal journey that transforms him from a self-centered individual into one of Earthrealm’s most esteemed champions.

In Mortal Kombat 1, Johnny Cady excels as part of a united group of characters hailing from different realms, particularly his bond with Kenshi standing out. Moreover, Andrew Bowen delivers an exceptional performance in the role; he provides some of the character’s most humorous moments within the series, which has left fans eager to see more of him in the upcoming expansion, Khaos Reigns.

1 Mortal Kombat 11

Johnny Cage’s Shades Of Future Past

Johnny Has $5000 Sunglasses In Mortal Kombat 11 as a wink to the movie.
Johnny Cage’s uppercut Fatality is a reference to a glitch in the original Mortal Kombat.

In Mortal Kombat 11, Johnny Cage, with over three decades of combat experience in Earthrealm, experiences the culmination of his evolution in this timeline. As past and future intersect, the seasoned and humble Johnny encounters his younger, cocky self from the initial two tournaments, leading to numerous amusing exchanges and a profound understanding of how much the character has progressed over time.

In essence, Johnny’s character development in Mortal Kombat 11 concludes in a circular fashion. This is evident as he not only defeats his former self to impart a valuable lesson, but also bravely battles against most of Kronika’s forces by himself, all for the sake of protecting his family. Moreover, Johnny excels in combat, offers a wide range of customization options, and even breaks the fourth wall in a way that is particularly impressive within the Mortal Kombat franchise.

2024-08-31 09:55