Revamped Mortal Kombat Universe Could Spell Trouble for Johnny Cage

Mortal Kombat 1's Johnny Cage May Not Become the Johnny Cage of MK11

In the latest reboot of Mortal Kombat 1, Johnny Cage, one of the most iconic fighters in the franchise, may not have the same luck he had in the past. With the new timeline, Johnny faces the possibility of losing everything, making it a second chance for many characters but a challenge for him. Despite not being as recognizable as some of the other fighters, Johnny is a vital character in Mortal Kombat's history, with his own set of martial arts skills. As a famous actor, he stands out among the supernatural and martial artists that populate the game's roster. In the later games, his fish-out-of-water status has been used for comic relief, and he is often quick with a joke, making him one of the series' most likable characters, especially his older and wiser version. However, depending on how the events of the game unfold, fans could witness a completely different Johnny Cage emerge.

The time-travel storyline in Mortal Kombat 11 had an unexpected side effect - it provided a glimpse into the growth of Johnny as a character. With Kronika's powers manipulating time, many characters encountered their past selves, including Johnny. Both versions of Johnny were snarky, but the older version was notably more mature and laid-back, while still able to handle serious situations.

In contrast, the younger Johnny was brash, egotistical, and obnoxious to the point where even Johnny himself found him annoying. Though their dynamic was comedic, it showcased Johnny as one of the most developed characters in the series. However, all of that hard-earned development could be put in jeopardy with the new timeline in Mortal Kombat 1.

With Mortal Kombat 1 resetting the timeline, every character is essentially starting anew, including Johnny. It remains to be seen how exactly Johnny will be portrayed, as he was not prominently featured in the reveal trailer. However, there is a possibility that he could revert back to his old, arrogant ways without the character development he underwent in the previous games. This could have significant consequences for his future, as even at his worst, he was never truly evil but needed to mature in order to become a reliable ally to the heroes. By Mortal Kombat 11, he had grown into both the Champion of Earthrealm and a devoted father due to his experiences, good and bad. While Mortal Kombat 1 offers a chance for some characters to avoid past mistakes, for Johnny, it may mean a departure from the best version of himself seen in the previous game.

Mortal Kombat 1 will be released on September 19, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.