Urban battles family pressure to become johnny cage

Karl Urban’s casting as Mortal Kombat’s Johnny Cage sparked immediate debate, but now, just days before the film’s release, the actor reveals the surprising source of the immense pressure he faced: his own sons.

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The initial reaction to Urban’s selection was a mix of skepticism and bewilderment. The actor, known for his stoic portrayal of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, seemed an unlikely fit for the flamboyant, ego-driven martial arts movie star. Yet, as trailers and promotional images have solidified the choice, a genuine anticipation has taken hold within the fiercely loyal Mortal Kombat community.

However, the road to acceptance wasn’t paved with enthusiasm. As Urban recounts, the first words he heard from his family were a blunt, and frankly, intimidating, assessment: “Oof… Big fan base. Don’t fk it up.” The comment, delivered by his two sons – both avid players of the franchise – immediately highlighted the scale of the challenge before him.

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Urban’s response wasn't one of denial. “I felt the pressure,” he admits. “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 fk it up.’