Karl Urban & Producer Respond to Mortal Kombat II Delay Concerns

Following the latest news that the release date for Mortal Kombat II has been shifted from October 24, 2025, to May 15, 2026, fans have expressed a variety of opinions online. However, the cast and crew are working hard to maintain excitement and anticipation among the audience.

Fans are not just displeased about the seven-month postponement, but now “Mortal Kombat” II will compete with Disney and Lucasfilm’s upcoming Star Wars movie, “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” which is scheduled for release a week later on May 22, 2026.

You could actually make the argument MK2 had zero competition with that October release date.

Karl Urban: “It’s a Summer Movie”

On Instagram, actor Karl Urban (who portrays Johnny Cage) acknowledged fan disappointment while hinting at a major upcoming event.

The action-packed movie adaptation of Mortal Kombat II is now set for summer release! With their red band trailer breaking records by amassing an incredible 107 million views in just 24 hours, it seems this film is surely a must-watch. The cast of MK2 will be attending NY Comic Con from October 9th to 12th. Although there may be a slight delay, if you’re even slightly disappointed, you might want to consider being part of the audience – trust me, it could be an unforgettable experience!

Urban’s playful hint strongly implies that fresh material or updates will be unveiled during the New York Comic Con, making it worthwhile for fans to remain attentive, notwithstanding the delay.

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Todd Garner: “Movie Is Done. This Is About Fan Reaction”

Todd Garner, the producer, was notably engaged on X, addressing fan concerns and advocating for the decision to shift the release date to May 2026.

When a fan called May a “great release date,” Garner replied: “Agree with every word of this post.”

Deliver Me From Nowhere,” Garner explained, “The MK series is designed for summer viewing.

The movie has been completed. This is primarily about the intensity of the audience’s response and the success of the film in testing.

Wasn’t October a good month for it, considering Halloween comes later and May has summer instead?

A spectator expressed displeasure about the five-year interval between the first and second movie, saying, “‘This is absolutely UNDESIRABLE!!!!!'”. Likewise, Garner concurred, stating, “‘I completely agree. Ideally, we can ensure that such a significant gap doesn’t reoccur between future films.’

When asked if delaying because of high trailer views made sense: “There will be more.”

Why the Delay?

As reported by Deadline, Warner Bros. anticipates that the release of Mortal Kombat II will likely prove more profitable during the more financially rewarding summer movie season.

The movie performed exceptionally well, drawing comparisons to Avengers: Endgame, while its initial red-band trailer garnered an impressive 107 million views worldwide within a day. Noticing this momentum, the studio seized the chance to maximize its impact during a less congested time period.

What about Star Wars?

Given the success of MK2 testing, it appears they have little concern about Disney’s Star Wars – this is a valid point indeed. The Star Wars franchise no longer carries the same weight as it once did. The Mandalorian and Grogu face significant challenges to prove themselves.

It shows they have a lot of faith in Mortal Kombat, which says a lot.

What’s Next?

Urban has announced that the cast will be present at the New York Comic Con, which takes place from October 9th to 12th. Based on his remarks, it’s reasonable to anticipate the unveiling of fresh footage or unexpected revelations during their panel.

Mortal Kombat II will now open in theaters and IMAX on May 15, 2026.

Watch the trailer:

2025-09-01 01:12