Fans of Mortal Kombat will have to wait longer to see the next bloody chapter unfold. New Line Cinema has officially delayed Mortal Kombat 2, moving its theatrical release from October 24, 2024 to May 15, 2026.

According to Deadline, Warner Bros. and New Line believe the film has stronger box office potential as a summer blockbuster, especially after the overwhelmingly positive reception to its trailer.

What We Know About the Sequel

The film continues the story from 2021’s Mortal Kombat reboot. Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater, the sequel is based on the legendary fighting game series by Ed Boon and John Tobias. This entry is also considered the fourth Mortal Kombat film overall.

The official synopsis teases brutal new confrontations. Earthrealm’s defenders must once again fight for survival, this time against the dark reign of Shao Kahn. Fan-favorite Johnny Cage finally enters the fray, setting the stage for an even bigger and bloodier showdown.

Cast: Returning Warriors and New Blood

The sequel features a mix of familiar and fresh faces. Returning cast members include:

• Jessica McNamee (Sonya Blade)

• Josh Lawson (Kano)

• Ludi Lin (Liu Kang)

• Mehcad Brooks (Jax)

• Lewis Tan (Cole Young)

• Chin Han (Shang Tsung)

• Tadanobu Asano (Raiden)

• Joe Taslim (Bi-Han / Sub-Zero)

• Hiroyuki Sanada (Scorpion)

New cast members joining the fight include:

• Karl Urban as Johnny Cage

• Adeline Rudolph

• Tati Gabrielle

Producer Todd Garner and writer Greg Russo had long discussed standalone spin-offs for Cage and Sub-Zero before deciding to move forward with a direct sequel. Warner Bros. officially green-lit the project in 2022, reuniting McQuoid with the creative team behind the first film.

Production Timeline

Filming began in June 2023 in Australia, paused in July due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, resumed in November, and officially wrapped in January 2024. With production complete, the delay is not due to unfinished work but rather a strategic release move by the studio.

Final Thoughts

The delay may frustrate fans, but it also signals Warner Bros.’ confidence in Mortal Kombat II as a potential summer tentpole release. With Karl Urban bringing Johnny Cage to life, the return of beloved fighters, and the looming threat of Shao Kahn, the sequel could deliver one of the franchise’s most explosive installments yet.

Mortal Kombat II now hits theaters worldwide on May 15, 2026.

Martin Scorsese, one of the most iconic filmmakers in cinema history, recently revealed that he no longer enjoys watching movies in theaters. It’s not a lack of passion for cinema—far from it. Instead, it’s the disruptive behavior of modern audiences that has driven him away from the big screen experience.

In a recent conversation with his longtime friend and film critic Peter Travers, Scorsese opened up about his decision to stop attending movie theaters. Travers, who just launched his new blog, The Travers Take, asked Scorsese why he no longer goes out to watch films. The answer was blunt and passionate.

According to Travers, Scorsese expressed strong frustration with how people behave during screenings. “He was really upset about how people talk on their phones, get up frequently to buy snacks, and create enough noise to overpower the actual film,” Travers explained. Scorsese acknowledged that in his youth, he and his friends would talk during movies too—but with a key difference. “Sure, we chatted,” he said, “but it was always about the movie itself. It added to the experience, not distracted from it.”

Nowadays, Scorsese prefers the comfort and control of his own home. His New York townhouse is equipped with a private screening room filled with classic posters, film memorabilia, and a large screen perfect for immersing himself in old Hollywood masterpieces. He even has a second, smaller viewing space in his upstairs study, along with an expansive personal film library that he’s built over decades.

This home setup allows him to keep up with contemporary cinema as well. Scorsese has praised several modern films recently, including TÁR, Pearl, Hereditary, Nosferatu, and I Saw the TV Glow.

His frustration is understandable to anyone who’s experienced a distracted or noisy crowd at the movies. For a filmmaker who views cinema as a sacred experience, today’s common disruptions can make theaters feel more like a battleground than a sanctuary for storytelling.

Once a space for collective escape and wonder, movie theaters have become less appealing to serious film lovers like Scorsese. For him, staying home offers the quiet, focused atmosphere that allows films to shine the way they were meant to.