After the recent announcement that Mortal Kombat II has been pushed from October 24, 2025, to May 15, 2026, fans voiced mixed reactions online—but the cast and crew are speaking up to keep the hype alive.
Fans aren’t only unhappy with the seven-month delay, but now Mortal Kombat II will face Disney and Lucasfilm’s big Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu, which is set to be released 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, Johnny Cage actor Karl Urban acknowledged fans’ frustration but teased something big is coming:
“Mortal Kombat II is now a summer movie 🔥 I guess this is what happens when your red band trailer smashes records with 107 million views in 24hrs 💥🙏🏽 The MK2 cast will be at NY Comic Con Oct 9-12. If you’re a lil bummed at the delay (apologies)… but ya might want to be in that room… Just sayin 😉💥👊🏽”
Urban’s tease strongly suggests that new footage or announcements will hit at New York Comic Con, giving fans a solid reason to stay tuned despite the delay.
Todd Garner: “Movie Is Done. This Is About Fan Reaction”
Producer Todd Garner was active on X, responding directly to fan complaints and defending the move to May 2026:
When a fan called May a “great release date,” Garner replied: “Agree with every word of this post.”
Responding to backlash over the delay due to competition with films like Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Garner said: “MK is a summer franchise.”
Addressing the idea that the film needs more time to be perfected, Garner clarified: “Movie is done. This is all about how massive the fan reaction was and how great the movie tested.”
On whether October was a missed opportunity: “Why would it do well in October when Halloween is the next weekend and not May when it’s summer?”
One fan vented about the five-year gap between the first and second film: “Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!” Garner agreed: “I agree. Hopefully after this one we never have that big of gap again between movies.”
When asked if delaying because of high trailer views made sense: “There will be more.”
Why the Delay?
According to Deadline, Warner Bros. believes Mortal Kombat II will perform better in the more lucrative summer box office window.
The film tested strongly (even being compared to Avengers: Endgame), and with the first red-band trailer generating over 107 million global views in 24 hours, the studio saw an opportunity to capitalize on the momentum in a less crowded timeframe.
What about Star Wars?
With MK2 testing so well, it seems they’re not afraid of Disney Star Wars, which is actually a sound argument to make. Star Wars isn’t the force (pardon the pun) it used to be. The Mandalorian & Grogu has a lot to prove.
It shows they have a lot of faith in Mortal Kombat, which says a lot.
What’s Next?
Urban confirmed that the cast will appear at New York Comic Con (Oct 9–12). Given his comments, expect new footage or surprises revealed during the panel.
Mortal Kombat II will now open in theaters and IMAX on May 15, 2026.
Watch the trailer:
