Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Mortal Kombat 2021.
The ending of Mortal Kombat sets up the appearance of Johnny Cage in a potential sequel, should Mortal Kombat 2 happen. The 2021 movie reboot of the long-running video game series largely gives fans what they want from a Mortal Kombat movie, with plenty of incredible fights and fatalities, and violence and gore galore. Indeed, aside from quibbles over the story or certain characterizations, the only major thing missing was known about in advance: Johnny Cage. One of the original Mortal Kombat characters from the 1992 game, he's a fan-favorite fighter and cocky movie star who is conspicuous by his absence here.
Mortal Kombat 2021 focuses on Cole Young (Lewis Tan), a new creation for the movie who serves as the audience's way into the universe, with Cole an outsider to the titular tournament much like Cage was in the original Mortal Kombat movie. That's a decision that makes perfect sense, because Cole, his story, and most of all his true identity as a descendent of Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada) are at the very heart of Mortal Kombat. However, that doesn't mean there's no room whatsoever for Cage, but rather that what is there is just to tease viewers and whet appetites for more.
The ending of Mortal Kombat 2021 sees Cole Young teaming up with the resurrected Scorpion to take on Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), with the ice-powered warrior eventually defeated by way of his great foe's "Toasty!" fatality. It's clear, though, that this isn't really the end of the battle, as Shang Tsung (Chin Han) appears to promise that he will return, next time bringing armies, and likely Sub-Zero as Noob Saibot too. While he's teleported away by Raiden, it's clear setup for another round of Mortal Kombat, and one where Earth will need a new set of Champions, whom Cole is instructed to find following several losses. Exactly who all of those characters will be is unclear, but Mortal Kombat's final scene overtly sets up Johnny Cage to be one of them. It finds Cole packing up his locker, getting out of the fighting business to head to Hollywood. When asked what's in Hollywood, he responds that it isn't about what, but "who." As if that wasn't obvious enough, the camera then pans to a poster for the movie Citizen Cage: Fight For Your Rights, starring none other than Johnny Cage.
The idea of Johnny Cage being a movie star is, of course, intrinsic to his character, and so it makes sense to use that as a lead-in for his appearance in Mortal Kombat 2. It means that even before the sequel happens, Cage is somewhat established as a persona in the universe, meaning there needs to be less setup of who his character is and more of the low-blows and cockiness fans want to see. The name of the movie itself is also taken from the games, with Cage mentioning Citizen Cage as one of several movies he's appeared in during the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot. That version of Cage was particularly used as a comedic contrast to his fellow combatants, and suggests he'll serve a similar function in the sequel. Mortal Kombat 2021 isn't exactly humorless - several moments revel in the absurdity of it all, there's a lot of fun, and Kano, in particular, gets some solid gags and comic moments - but it's also easy to imagine Cage elevating that further and bringing new dimensions to it.
Since Cole is on a mission to find other Champions, then it suggests that Johnny Cage has already been chosen and already has his dragon mark too, and that's presumably how and why Cole knows to search him out in the first place. Cage's absence from Mortal Kombat is understandable for a few reasons - not least its heavy focus on its Asian characters - but with the need for fresh blood and things more established, as well as the potential for a proper Mortal Kombat tournament to come (something this movie doesn't actually have), then Cage's big personality can slot in much more easily. Quite how he'll feel about Cole's plans remain to be seen, but that's something that will presumably form the opening of the Mortal Kombat sequel, should it happen. As well as those two likely butting heads, there's also lots of potential to develop his relationship with Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), with whom he has a storied history (and even a daughter) in the games.
Of course, even with the tease there are big questions over Cage's future. A sequel hasn't been green lit, but if the movie is a hit, then it'd be a no-brainer, with cast and crew expressing interest. The other question is just who will play Cage in Mortal Kombat 2: it'd be fitting to plump for a big movie star to add a meta-touch, but it also needs to be someone well-versed in action movies and fight choreography. That makes someone like Keanu Reeves a particular fun fan-cast choice, or perhaps Scott Adkins for a more skilled martial artist. Whoever plays him, should a Mortal Kombat sequel happen, Johnny Cage is going to be in it.
Next: Mortal Kombat 2021: How Scorpion Returns To Fight Sub-Zero In The Present