Writer Jeremy Slater has teased the role of fan-favorite character Johnny Cage in the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2. However, the character may not be as heavily involved in the sequel as much as fans of the video game expect. Speaking with ComicBook.com, Slater discussed his approach to adding Cage to the Mortal Kombat follow-up, revealing that while he is almost definitely going to be involved, he may not be in the movie much.

"Johnny Cage is one of my favorite characters, and I think there's definitely a promise with the way the first movie ends of seeing Cole being like, 'Okay, my next stop is to go recruit Johnny.' So I think if he wasn't included in the sequel at all, it would feel very strange. It's still a little bit up in the air how much he will be included, it's one of the things we're currently working on. But yeah, I love Johnny and I would love to really do the definitive version, if possible, and really take everything that's fun about that character and bring that to live action."

Released back in April 2021, Mortal Kombat was directed by Simon McQuoid and was a huge hit for Warner Bros. Pictures. Starring Mehcad Brooks, Jessica McNamee, Tadanobu Asano, Hiroyuki Sanada, Joe Taslim, and Lewis Tan as wholly new character Cole Young, Mortal Kombat follows a washed-up MMA fighter who is unaware of his hidden lineage or why he is being hunted down by Sub-Zero of the Lin-Kuei clan of assassins.

While the first movie features many familiar faces from Mortal Kombat lore, Johnny Cage is entirely absent from events. Much to the chagrin of fans. However, the character was teased in a last-minute Easter egg, with the end of the movie hinting that Cole will head to Los Angeles searching for the great Johnny Cage.

But which actor will be chosen to bring Cage to life on the big screen? Well, there are already several names in contention, with Pacific Rim star Charlie Hunnam rumored for the role, while WWE star The Miz has also put himself forward.

Work is Now Underway on Mortal Kombat 2

As well as teasing Johnny Cage’s role in Mortal Kombat 2, Jeremy Slater has also now revealed that work is well underway on the sequel. “It’s really fun so far. We’re about halfway through the script,” Slater said. “I’m working really closely with the director and the studios, and the game guys, and I think—I can’t say anything about the actual story, but I think they definitely learned some lessons the last time around in terms of, ‘Here’s the stuff fans responded to, and here’s what people liked out of the movie, and here’s the stuff that didn’t work out as well as we hoped.' So we’re really looking at this as a chance to take everything that worked in the first one and do it even better and give the audience even more, and make something that is just incredibly satisfying, and really exciting, and unpredictable.”

After using the final moments of the first Mortal Kombat to hype up an appearance from Johnny Cage, fans are sure to be disappointed if the character only shows up for an extended cameo. Perhaps Jeremy Slater would be wise to make the character a major player in the sequel, lest he suffer the wrath of Mortal Kombat fans.