Karl Urban Improvised Lord of the Rings Reference in Mortal Kombat II

Karl Urban improvised a reference to “The Lord of the Rings” in “Mortal Kombat II” by calling the character Raiden “Gandalf,” according to a May interview with Esquire. Urban, who played Eomer in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, decided to establish his character, Johnny Cage, as a fan of the franchise.

Why did Karl Urban improvise a “Lord of the Rings” reference?

Urban told Esquire that he began a series of improvisations to make Johnny Cage a fan of the “Lord of the Rings” series. He stated that the production gave him “runway” to execute the idea.

In the film, Urban portrays a washed-up action star at a career low. This narrative setup allowed the “meta” joke to fit the character’s personality while referencing Urban’s own professional history.

Did You Know? Warner Bros. delayed the release of “Mortal Kombat II” to 2026, moving it from a previously scheduled October 2025 date.

How did “The Lord of the Rings” impact Karl Urban’s career?

Urban described “The Lord of the Rings” as “arguably, the most important milestone” of his career during the Esquire interview. He credited the belief and generosity of Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh for his current success.

Urban noted that he learned a significant amount while working with Jackson, Walsh, and actors Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen. While his role as Eomer was not massive, the trilogy’s overall success helped elevate the profiles of the associated cast.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that the tension between the sequel’s $128 million global take and its $80 million budget may force the studio to weigh theatrical viability against the high VOD and streaming performance seen with the first film.

What happens next for the “Mortal Kombat” franchise?

The future of the film series is currently uncertain due to the box office results of the sequel. “Mortal Kombat II” earned $128 million worldwide against a reported budget of $80 million.

Karl Urban & Cast_Lord of the Ring Premier LA_Part 8

Warner Bros. may look to the first movie’s massive streaming and VOD success as a blueprint for the franchise’s survival. If the studio pursues more movies, Urban could have further opportunities to reference his previous roles, such as Judge Dredd in “Dredd” or his work across five seasons of “The Boys.”

The sequel was directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who directed “Mortal Kombat II”?
Simon McQuoid, who also directed the 2021 “Mortal Kombat” film, directed the sequel.

Who wrote the script for the movie?
The script was penned by Jeremy Slater.

What other major roles has Karl Urban held?
Urban played Judge Dredd in “Dredd” and starred in five seasons of “The Boys.”

Do you think the “Mortal Kombat” franchise should prioritize streaming releases over theatrical windows?