Author: Nagarathna

Valve’s recently released Steam Machine received strong criticism for its high-priced strategy. However, some industry experts believe that this could be the start of a new trend. It is said that Rising component costs could force Sony to consider a higher price for the PlayStation 6, but Sony has not confirmed any pricing strategy.

Gaming consoles could soon cost around $1,000, as they are becoming more expensive to make. Microsoft has confirmed work on its next-generation Xbox hardware, while Sony has not officially announced the PlayStation 6 release date. Since production costs are increasing, the companies may have to sell their new consoles at much higher prices.

According to KeplerL2, the estimated cost of the PlayStation 6 was around $760 in March 2026. However, the situation has changed since then, and the analyst now says that the component prices have increased by about $200 USD, bringing the estimated production cost to nearly $1,000 per console.

It is important to note that this estimate only covers the cost of the hardware components. It does not include other expenses like shipping, transportation, marketing or retail costs. Once those costs are added, the final selling price could be even higher.

What Could The Price Of The PlayStation 6 Be?

When the estimated production cost was $760, Sony could have sold the PlayStation 6 for around $700, even if it meant a small loss on each unit. However, with the production costs now close to $1,000, the console will likely cost much more. According to KeplerL2, Some reports speculate that the PS6 could approach $1,000 if component costs remain high, but Sony has not confirmed any model, edition or price.

When asked if Sony might delay the PlayStation 6 beyond 2027 to reduce costs, the analyst said that waiting longer may not help, because if the cost further continues to rise, delaying the launch could make the console even more expensive. The analyst also said that if production costs stop increasing, there is little reason to delay the release. If component costs fall after launch, Sony could lower the console’s price later, just as it did with the PlayStation 3.

Global Chip Memory Shortage Affecting Electronics Costs

Some consumers hope that Sony might cover part of production costs and could sell the PlayStation 6 for around $900. However, Console makers have often sold hardware at little profit or at a loss, but Sony has said it does not want to sell hardware at significant losses. When Sony did this with the PlayStation 3, it lost a lot of money.

It has to be noted that Sony is not the only company raising prices. Recently, Microsoft increased the prices of its Xbox consoles. Starting August 2026, the Xbox Series X with a disc drive will cost $799.99. It is believed that the prices could increase even before 2027. Also, Apple made price adjustments on several of its products this week.

Disney and Pixar’s beloved animated series has made its theatrical return with Toy Story 5, seven years after the previous installment, and is already exceeding expectations at the box office. The film has earned more than initially projected in its domestic debut.

Toy Story 5 opened to an estimated/rounded $160M, with The Numbers listing $159.68M from 4,425 theaters.

Toy Story 5 beat The Super Mario Galaxy Movie domestically, but not globally

With its opening weekend earnings, Toy Story 5 has beaten The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which made $131.7 million. It has not only become the biggest domestic opening of 2026, but also the highest-opening film in the Toy Story franchise, surpassing 2019’s Toy Story 4, which made a $120 million opening at the box office, without adjusting for inflation.

With this, Toy Story 5 has become the second-biggest animated opening weekend in box office history. The only animated film with a higher domestic debut was Incredibles 2 (2018), which opened with $182.7 million.

Toy Story 5 also did well internationally. In international markets, the film earned $152 million, taking its global opening weekend total to $312 million. The production budget of the film was reportedly $250 million, not including marketing and promotion costs.

According to industry analysts, the film is expected to continue performing well in the coming weeks, especially with family audiences. The animated film has been well received by critics, around 93–94% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of reporting, and audiences rated it an “A” grade in CinemaScore exit polls.

About Toy Story 5

Directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris, Toy Story 5 brings back many of the franchise’s most popular characters. The story follows Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) and the other toys as they face a new challenge when their owner becomes attached to children’s smart tablet called Lilypad.

The sequel has also grabbed attention for its music, with Taylor Swift adding an original song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” to the film.

It looks like Rockstar has a clear plan, since they usually don’t announce things without a reason. What’s the plan – Keeping players engaged in GTA Online while also creating hype for what’s next.

GTA Online will introduce the Kortz Center Heist in July 2026. At the same time, pre-orders for GTA 6 have officially started. While one update keeps their live-service game fresh, the other shows that the highly awaited sequel game is getting close to release.

The Kortz Center

The Kortz Center is one of the most iconic spots in Los Santos. It is a contemporary art gallery in Pacific Bluffs and has been in GTA 5 since 2013. Players have been curious about it for years. Finally, now they can actually do something about it.

According to the GTA 5 listing on Steam, “Perched on the hills of Pacific Bluffs, the world-famous Kortz Center looms large over the Los Santos cultural scene. Priceless international works of art have adorned its hallways for years, and now the time has come to raid this prestigious gallery’s esteemed collection for personal gain in The Kortz Center Heist, this summer’s exciting new update coming to GTA Online in July.”

The heist has multiple stages. First, you explore the complex and gather information. Then you pick how to execute it. After that, you carry out the mission. This can be played by both solo players and teams. This is a good setup for a big target like this.

How To Get Access To The Kortz Center Heist?

To get in the Kortz Center Heist, you need to own a Mansion with an Art Studio add-on. Mansions are some of the most expensive properties in the game, and adding the Art Studio makes it even more costly.

Rockstar uses a common setup in GTA Online where property requirements are needed for big heists. The main intention is to make players invest first, which makes the heist feel more important. New players need to earn enough in-game money or spend real money to get access.

To help players prepare, Rockstar is running special events before the update. Ahead of the July launch, there will be bonus GTA$ rewards and discounts. The Fine Art Collector program will also run during this time. Currently, there is a 40% bonus GTA$ offer on eligible Shark Card purchases. On the whole, Rockstar is helping players to earn and save money before the heist begins.

GTA 6 Pre-Orders Are Live And The Community Has Already Started Early Copy Giveaways

Currently, GTA 6 pre-orders are officially live. The community reacted quickly. On the same day, DarkViperAU announced a giveaway. @DarkViperAU shared, “Rockstar has announced GTA 6 pre-orders, so I’m giving 6 lucky winners $1,000 USD each to help pay for a PS5 Pro and GTA VI.”

The post received 5,941 reposts (as of now), showing that people are really excited about the game, not just the giveaway.

Also, @atlasfunded ran a separate giveaway in response and shared, “The countdown to GTA VI is ON. We’re giving away 10 copies of GTA VI so ten of you can play the moment it releases, and it’s completely on us.”

Their giveaway closes on June 27, 2026. Standard giveaway terms apply, and they are not connected to Rockstar or Take-Two.

Why The Kortz Center Heist Matters After 13 Years Of GTA Online?

GTA Online has been active since 2013, giving players 13 years of heists and regular updates in a single game. By most industry standards, that is a very long and impressive lifespan.

GTA Online’s success helped Rockstar take their time making GTA 6. Most studios don’t have a long-running live game like GTA Online alongside a major new project, but Rockstar did, which explains why GTA 6 took so long to develop.

The Kortz Center Heist feels like a carefully planned update, and the art theft theme fits GTA well. Using The Kortz Center as a heist target makes it more meaningful for long-time players, as it is one of the most recognizable buildings in the game’s world.

The simple idea here is Rockstar wants GTA Online to stay strong when GTA 6 comes out. Active players in GTA Online are the most natural user base to move to the next game. The heist update and the pre-order news are not separate things- they are part of the same plan to move players from one game to the next.

Seven years after the release of Toy Story 4, Disney and Pixar’s iconic animated franchise will make its long-awaited return to the big screen with Toy Story 5. The movie is projected to deliver the biggest opening weekend in Toy Story franchise history, with some industry estimates pointing to around $275 million worldwide.

In North America, Toy Story 5 is expected to earn around $140 million during its opening weekend across 4,425 theaters. If this turns out to be true, then the film will record the biggest domestic opening of any movie released in 2026 to date.

The movie will be released in all major premium formats, including Premium Large Format screens and IMAX. These screenings usually generate more revenue since tickets cost more.

International Markets To Play Major Role

A large share of the film’s earnings will come from international markets. Overseas, the projected total is around $135 million, with the movie releasing in about 87% of international markets, including China. However, Japan and Germany, which are two major markets, will not be part of the opening weekend, as Japan releases the film on July 3, while Germany releases it on July 23. Germany will release Toy Story 5 on July 23, after Minions & Monsters, which opens earlier in July.

Targeting Toy Story 4’s Opening Record

Toy Story 4 (2019) had the best opening box office record in the franchise. It opened with $120.9 million in North America and collected $249 million worldwide in its opening weekend.

However, these numbers were lower than expected. Analysts had predicted the film would make about 160 million domestically and $260 million worldwide.

So, it can be concluded that a movie can make a lot of money, but still be considered disappointing if it doesn’t match expected predictions.

Will Toy Story 5 Beat The Super Mario Galaxy Movie And Zootopia 2?

Earlier, it was expected that Toy Story 5 would open at around $150 million in North America, which is now revised down to about $140 million. Presale ticket data gives some early clues about how the movie would perform at the box office opening. Currently, presales stand at $25 million, which is higher than The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at the same stage before release. It is also ahead of Zootopia 2, which earned $100.2 million in three days and $158.8 million over five days. However, Toy Story 5 is still behind Moana 2, which opened with $139.7 million in three days and $225.4 million over five days.

One challenge for predictions is the Juneteenth holiday, which falls on the same weekend as the release. Holidays usually increase Friday ticket sales, so it makes it difficult to predict how Saturday will perform.

Pixar’s Box Office Records

Incredibles 2 remains Pixar’s highest domestic opener with $182.6 million, while Inside Out 2 (2024) holds the global record with a $295 million opening – including $154 million from North America and $230 million from international markets.

Toy Story 5 might not beat these numbers. However, it is expected to set a new record for the Toy Story franchise.

Finally, the wait is over! Amazon Luna and Mattel have launched Masters of the Universe: Legends Unite, which is exclusively available on Amazon Luna. The game launches alongside the new live-action Masters of the Universe movie from Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Studios, allowing fans to experience the action both on the big screen and in the game.

It is free for Prime members and is available exclusively on Amazon Luna. The game brings together popular characters and stories from Eternia. It can be played either solo or with friends, allowing players to build decks based on their favorite characters, fight enemies and compete with each other in fun arcade competitions. The game features a unique control system that lets players use their phones as controllers. With just a single click, players can send cards to the screen to attack enemies, heal friends and perform more actions.

Director of Amazon Game Studios, J.C. Connors was quoted as saying, “We’re thrilled to partner with Mattel to bring Masters of the Universe: Legends Unite to Amazon Luna. With the movie hitting theaters and the game available on Luna the same day, fans can experience all the great heroes, villains, and humor of one of the most iconic franchises, whether watching on the big screen or playing together in their living room.”

Head of Business Development – Digital Gaming at Mattel, Erika Winterholler added, “Masters of the Universe has inspired fans for generations through storytelling, action, and imagination, and with Legends Unite coinciding with the film, we’re creating a way for fans new and old to engage with the franchise. Partnering with Amazon Luna allows us to reach audiences wherever they are and continue expanding Eternia’s universe through innovative digital play.”

Players can choose from six iconic characters, including He-Man, Man-At-Arms, Teela, Evil-Lyn and Skeletor each with their own distinct abilities and playstyles. In Adventure Mode, players can team up to fight Hordak and his forces, use powerful attacks, collect rare cards and upgrade their characters as they progress through different challenges and landscapes.

Not only can players team up to battle enemies, but they can also take part in Trials of Eternia, a collection of arcade-style mini-games where they compete against each other for special bonuses. Players can earn rewards by completing the challenges, like collecting treasures from the Faceless One, avoiding obstacles under Snake Mountain and surviving the dangers hidden in the depths of darkness.

GameNight Expands Its Collection

Amazon Luna GameNight now includes Masters of the Universe: Legends Unite, a fun and easy-to-play game that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home. The game doesn’t require controllers, consoles or gaming PCS, and can be played solo or with friends or family. All you need is a phone and a TV to join the fight against Hordak.

For over 40 years, Masters of the Universe has remained a popular entertainment franchise, connecting fans through its toys, animated shows, movies and games. Now, this new game launch marks the next step in expanding the franchise, while also reflecting Mattel Digital Studios’ efforts to bring its popular brands into the digital world and to create engaging experiences for fans of all ages.

Masters of the Universe: Legends Unite Availability And Access Details

Masters of the Universe: Legends Unite is available for all Prime members and Amazon Luna subscribers across multiple countries, including the U.S., UK, Canada, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Fans can now enjoy both the game and the movie as the latest adventure in Eternia begins.

Veteran actor James Handy, known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and Jumanji, was stabbed to death on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) in the Tarzana neighborhood of the Los Angeles. According to Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the suspect in the killing is Michael Gledhill, the 44-year-old son of Handy’s girlfriend.

Police officers responded to a call of a possible disturbance in Tarzana on Wednesday morning (June 3, 2026). Upon arrival, they discovered Handy in the front yard of a residence with a serious stab injury to his chest. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to a report by Variety, the LAPD said in a statement, “On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 9:30 a.m., West Valley area patrol officers responded to a radio call of unknown trouble in the 19200 block of Erwin Street. The 911 caller stated, ‘I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.’”

The statement further said, “Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public at this time.”

Police believe that the suspect Michael Gledhill, 44, who is the son of Handy’s girlfriend, stabbed the veteran actor. Gledhill, who lived with his mother and Handy, was later arrested and booked into Van Nuys Jail on a murder charge, with bail set at $2 million.

A rep for the actor was quoted by Variety as saying, “With great sadness I can confirm that the gentleman who was attacked and killed on Wednesday in Tarzana was the actor James Handy.”

James Handy has appeared in several films, including Logan, The Rocketeer and K-9 as well as television shows such as Melrose Place and NYPD Blue.

The live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s legendary game series, The Legend of Zelda, is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming movies. Fans have been eagerly waiting for the movie’s release. The movie was originally scheduled for March 26, 2027, before being delayed to May 7, 2027. Now, Nintendo has yet again changed the release date!

Zelda co-creator and film producer Shigeru Miyamoto took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the new release date. He revealed that the release date has been moved up by one week. Although Nintendo did not explain the reshuffle, it is a good news for fans.

Shigeru Miyamoto said that the upcoming fantasy adventure film will now be released on April 30, 2027. He also mentioned in his post that the team is working hard to deliver the film as soon as possible.

He wrote, “This is Miyamoto. I would like to let you know that the worldwide theatrical release date for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda has been moved up to April 30, 2027, from May 7. The team is working hard to deliver the film to everyone as soon as possible. There’s less than a year to go until release, so thank you for waiting.”

This is Miyamoto. I would like to let you know that the worldwide theatrical release date for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda has been moved up to April 30, 2027, from May 7. The team is working hard to deliver the film to everyone as soon as possible. There’s less…

— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) May 13, 2026

The film will also be released in IMAX, while principal photography was completed in April 2026.

Directed by Wes Ball, the film stars Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda. Nintendo and Sony have not revealed much about the rest of the cast. Filming reportedly took place in New Zealand.

Sony’s first trailer for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil has sparked discussion among horror and video game fans. The upcoming film is the eighth live-action film installment in the Resident Evil movie series, and it looks like the makers are trying a fresh and different approach this time.

𝙰 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚎𝚛𝚊 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚕.

From the mind of Zach Cregger, director of Weapons and Barbarian. Watch the new teaser trailer for Resident Evil. Filmed for IMAX – in theatres 9.18. pic.twitter.com/dE7kpxaBo5

— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) April 30, 2026

The teaser shows Bryan entering a seemingly abandoned house after becoming caught in a nightmarish situation as he desperately looks for a working phone. He frantically calls his girlfriend, apologizes for getting disconnected earlier, tells her that he loves her and hints that it could be their last conversation.

The rest of the trailer is filled with creepy and frightening moments, including a a pale, swollen-looking creature in a sewer-like setting. One intense scene shows Bryan running through an empty street while something horrifying is chasing him from the rooftops. The trailer ends with some creatures crashing violently onto the ground.

Based on the trailer, The trailer still leaves unclear how much the film will lean into traditional zombies versus other infected creatures, and that mystery has made many fans even more curious.

Director Zach Cregger appears to be aiming for a much scarier and more suspenseful version of the franchise. Cregger has said the film tells an original story set inside the Resident Evil universe, aiming to capture the feeling of playing the games rather than retelling Leon, Claire, or another familiar character’s story.

The trailer has also drawn online discussion, with viewers discussing how this version feels different. While some viewers have praised the gameplay-inspired details, while others are debating how loosely the movie will connect to established game lore, others are talking about the “fat molded creature” in the sewer.

One Reddit user wrote, “Might be an odd detail but what REALLY sold me in this trailer is him opening the drawers looking for supplies. It’s a small but great detail from the games and I love it so much. This looks incredible.” Another user wrote, “I actually love that this movie isn’t Resident Evil in story/characters/lore, but instead more inspired by the gameplay and mechanics of the series. Just like RE7 did for the series.”

About the pale and swollen creature shown in the sewer, one user wrote, “Is the white fat guy in the sewers a Tyrant? I’m curious 🤔.” Another user replied, “That was my first thought: ‘What in the Dunc is this?’”

Resident Evil stars Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Paul Walter Hauser, Kali Reis, and Johnno Wilson. The movie will hit theaters on September 18, 2026, after Sony previously launched the film’s official website and confirmed the release date.

With the trailer already sparking excitement among fans, it remains to be seen whether Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil will stand out from past adaptations.

Mortal Kombat 2 released in theaters on May 8, 2026. On Rotten Tomatoes, At the time of VGC’s report, the film sat at 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 48 on Metacritic, Reviews have been divided, with Rotten Tomatoes skewing more positive than Metacritic. However, the film’s producer, Todd Garner, was unimpressed with the negative reviews. He took to X (formerly Twitter) and criticized reviewers who gave the movie negative ratings.

The producer suggested that some critics reviewed the film without really knowing the original material. He believed that the reviewers had not played the game and did not understand what fans wanted. Todd wrote, “It’s clear they have never played the game and have no idea what the fans want or ANY of the rules/ canon of Mortal Kombat.”

He further mentioned that one reviewer complained about a character having a laser eye. He wrote, “One reviewer was mad that a guy ‘had a laser eye!’”

The producer seemed baffled and continued his outburst, “Why the fuck do we still allow people that don’t have any love for the genre review these movies! Baffling.”

Todd’s message on X read as, “Some of these reviews are cracking me up. It’s clear they have never played the game and have no idea what the fans want or ANY of the rules/ canon of Mortal Kombat. One reviewer was mad that a guy “had a laser eye!” Why the fuck do we still allow people that don’t have any love for the genre review these movies! Baffling.”

Some of these reviews are cracking me up. It’s clear they have never played the game and have no idea what the fans want or ANY of the rules/ canon of Mortal Kombat. One reviewer was mad that a guy “had a laser eye!” Why the fuck do we still allow people that don’t have any love…

— Todd Garner (@Todd_Garner) May 6, 2026

A movie critic felt that playing games or knowing the original story isn’t necessary to enjoy or review the film. He believed the movie should be judged on how well it works as a film rather than a piece of fan service.

The critic post read as, “Idk man I’m just kinda over this wave of anti-criticism sentiment. Your movie has a 77% on RT and counting. You won. You can make something for the fans without excluding the opinion of those who aren’t. I don’t think playing the games or knowing the lore should be a prerequisite for viewing. Films should be reviewed on how they function as…films, not as a piece of fan service.”

Idk man I’m just kinda over this wave of anti-criticism sentiment. Your movie has a 77% on RT and counting. You won. You can make something for the fans without excluding the opinion of those who aren’t. I don’t think playing the games or knowing the lore should be a prerequisite… https://t.co/jI70PBM98d

— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) May 6, 2026

Todd argued that critics who already disliked the franchise’s main concepts could not fairly judge the film and felt that the reviewers should keep in mind when a movie is clearly made for fans.

Todd wrote, “I’m really sorry you feel this way. My comment was very squarely directed at a couple of reviewers that did not like the “zombies” and the fact that there was a “guy with a laser eye,” etc. Those are elements that are baked into the Mortal Kombat IP and therefore we were dead in the water going in. There is no way for that person to review how it functioned as a film, because they did not like the foundational elements of the IP. I just wish when something is so obviously fan leaning in its DNA, that critics would take that into consideration.”

When followers questioned his opinion, Todd clarified that he did not have an issue with negative reviews overall, but he felt frustrated that reviewers weren’t familiar with Mortal Kombat.

To a user comment that said, “It’s just for the fans” … who else would this movie be for lol 😂,” Todd replied, “It’s called Mortal Kombat 2 for a reason…”

To another user’s comment that read, “If we’ve learned anything from Michael, it’s that critics are losing influence and fans don’t care about their opinions. It’s all about what the fans want and care about. And I’ve seen nothing but fan excitement. Seeing it tomorrow night and can’t wait 🙏🏾🙌🏾,” the producer replied, “Absolutely. The gamification of movie reviews has gotten absurd.”

When a user pointed out that one review claimed the movie was clearly made only for fans and gave it a bad rating, but the majority of reviews are excellent and Rotten Tomatoes gave it 75%, Todd replied that he indeed “made it for fans.”

Although Todd did not seem to be taking the backlash seriously, he appeared amused by the criticism. In response to another fan, he simply wrote, “I’m genuinely laughing,” suggesting that the He replied, ‘I’m genuinely laughing.’

Mortal Kombat II brings back several cast members from the 2021 film, including Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion. The sequel also adds major new fighters from the games, including Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, Tati Gabrielle as Jade, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, Damon Herriman as Quan Chi, and CJ Bloomfield as Baraka.

Karl Urban’s casting as Johnny Cage gave Mortal Kombat fans plenty to talk about, and the actor has now admitted he felt real pressure stepping into one of the franchise’s most recognizable roles. Urban was not the safest or most predictable choice on paper for Johnny Cage, the cocky actor and martial artist pulled into Earthrealm’s fight for survival. The trailers have since given viewers a clearer look at his version of Cage, including the character’s confidence, physicality, and role in the sequel. With Mortal Kombat II scheduled to open in theaters on May 8, 2026, fans are now waiting to see how The Boys and The Lord of the Rings actor brings Johnny Cage to the big screen.

Karl Urban Felt the Pressure of Playing Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat II

Playing Johnny Cage comes with obvious pressure because the character has one of the most loyal fan bases in the Mortal Kombat franchise. Urban said that pressure became clear almost immediately after he told his two sons he had been cast in the role.

Karl Urban’s Sons Had a Blunt Reaction to His Johnny Cage Casting

Speaking to IGN, during a press event, Urban recalled the blunt reaction he received from his sons after telling them he would play Johnny Cage. “I definitely felt the pressure. I remember when I got cast, I said to my two sons — who I actually played the game with, which was my first introduction to the world of Mortal Kombat — and I said, ‘Hey guys, I’m going to be Johnny Cage.’ And they were like, ‘Oof… Big fan base. Don’t f**k it up.’” (sic)

Urban said the only way to handle that pressure was to put his energy into preparation rather than anxiety, “So right from the get-go from my own family, I was like, ‘Oh.’ I felt the pressure. But when you’re in that situation, all you can do is just channel all of your energy away from any of those fears and anxieties and just focus it on the work, focus it on your preparation. And for me, it was a deep dive into the world of martial arts.” (sic)

How Karl Urban Prepared for Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat II

To prepare for the role, Urban said he took a deep dive into martial arts. He attended a karate tournament in New Zealand to better understand the culture around the sport and also trained with movement, agility, and speed drills similar to those used by professional athletes.

Urban also studied the Mortal Kombat games and Johnny Cage’s history so he could understand the character beyond the surface-level ego and one-liners.

Karl Urban Says Johnny Cage Has a Real Character Arc

Urban credited screenwriter Jeremy Slater for giving Johnny Cage more than just ego, saying the film presents him as a damaged and dispirited character with room to grow. Explaining why that version of Cage worked for him, Urban said, “This is a very dispirited character, which was a very smart choice because it gave not only me but the audience somewhere to go with the character. It gave a journey.” (sic)

Karl Urban Calls Mortal Kombat II His Most Physically Challenging Role

Urban also said the sequel was the most physically demanding production of his career, largely because the martial arts choreography required precision rather than brute force. “Coming into Mortal Kombat 2 was hands down the most challenging, physical undertaking that I’ve ever embarked on when it comes to a production. The skillset required was definitely an exponential learning curve that I have never encountered. I’d be lying to say that I didn’t feel a little bit terrified. I mean, you’re stepping into a movie with martial artists who are accomplished, like Ludi [Lin, Liu Kang], and Max [Huang, Kung Lao], and Lewis [Tan, Cole Young], and Joe [Taslim, Bi-Han], and they are all so fantastic at what they do.” (sic)

He said that they didn’t waste any time and recalled how he landed in Brisbane and was taken straight to a stunt rehearsal while he was still carrying his bags. He added that the re-entry felt real, and that everyone understood the importance of getting it right.

Karl added, “The exponential skillset that’s required, like when you do stunt fighting on other projects, you can kind of be a bit burly and you sort of bullishly bulldoze your way through it. You can’t do that in martial arts. Everything is so specific in a ballet kind of way, a beautiful violent choreography.” (sic)