First Look at Baraka in ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Ignites Hype as Movie Tops Fall Anticipation Poll
Fans of the Mortal Kombat franchise have a lot to look forward to this fall. Mortal Kombat II, the latest installment in the video game-based film series, is set to hit theaters on October 24, 2025, from Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film is directed by Simon McQuoid, with a script by Jeremy Slater, and continues the story from the 2021 reboot.
Following the first film, conversations began about expanding the universe with standalone movies for characters like Johnny Cage and Bi-Han / Sub-Zero, as well as a direct sequel.
By 2022, Warner Bros. officially green-lit the project. Filming started in June 2023 in Australia but paused in mid-July due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Production resumed in mid-November and wrapped up in late January 2024.
A new exclusive image of Baraka, one of the franchise’s fan-favorite characters, has already made waves online. According to a Fandango survey of over 2,000 moviegoers, Mortal Kombat II was voted the second most anticipated fall movie.
From our survey of over 2,000 moviegoers, here are the top 10 most anticipated movies hitting theaters this Fall!
— Fandango (@Fandango) August 21, 2025
Let us know what you're excited to catch in theaters this Fall in the comments below👇 pic.twitter.com/igLAvLy7Zo
“From New Line Cinema comes the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, Mortal Kombat II. This time, the fan favorite champions—now joined by Johnny Cage himself—are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders,” a source from New Line Cinema said.
First teaser for ‘MORTAL KOMBAT 2’, starring Karl Urban as Johnny Cage.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 16, 2025
“Uncaged Fury, starring Johnny Cage” pic.twitter.com/PN0DFIStan
The movie brings back many beloved characters, including Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Josh Lawson as Kano.
New faces include Adeline Rudolph as Kitana and Tati Gabrielle as Jade. Returning actors also include Damon Herriman as Quan Chi, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han / Noob Saibot, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion. Martyn Ford joins as Shao Kahn, with Desmond Chiam and Ana Thu Nguyen playing King Jerrod and Queen Sindel, and Max Huang as Kung Lao. CJ Bloomfield will portray Baraka.
The first look at Baraka has sparked excitement across social media, as fans gear up for what promises to be a thrilling and action-packed fall release.
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