Playing Mortal Kombat’s Johnny Cage would be ‘a dream come true’ for The Miz

There were a lot of problems with the 2021 movie version of the iconic fighting game franchise Mortal Kombat. Several of them stem from the decision to use the film to start an MK cinematic universe rather than just make the best Mortal Kombat movie they could.

If those plans* pan out, there’s probably good news and bad news. The bad is that we’ll get more of the Lewis Tan’s bland performance as created-for-the-screen protagonist Cole Young, whose fatality-assisting power (or “arcana”, in more new mythology made up for this iteration of MK) is to blandly manifest a pair of tonfa and matching metal shirt.

The good is we’ll get more of the always excellent Joe Taslim’s Sub-Zero, and the debut of action movie star & hero of Earthrealm Johnny Cage. Many, including my man Geno Mrosko, have argued that The Miz would make an excellent Cage.

Now, TMZ caught up with the A-Lister himself and got his thoughts on it:

“Honestly, if I have a shot at it, I would definitely want to make sure that I give everything that I possibly can to make sure that not only the production company, the director are happy with the character that I get, but also the fans. Cause they are the ones that are so adamant about Johnny Cage being in the movie... This is an iconic character in the Mortal Kombat franchise, and it needs to be done right. If I’m the person to do it, then so be it. I’m ready to go!

“I’m not a black belt in karate, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get every single move correct, perfectly done - like Johnny Cage does.

“Usually, when my name comes up to anything like, ‘Hey, Miz should do this,’ it’s usually a lot of negativity. It’s usually a lot of, ‘NO! He sucks, we hate him, he’s horrible!’ ... but this was the first time that my name was dropped in something and everyone gravitated toward the positive side. I’m really appreciative toward that, it really hit me. I was like, ‘Wow, I remember playing this game when I was a kid.’ Sega Genesis - I would never play Super Nintendo because it didn’t have the blood, but I always played the Sega Genesis version and I remember playing as Johnny Cage. And, to see this kind of all happen, it’d be like a dream come true.”

We’ll say it again... do it, Warner Brothers! Cast Miz as Johnny Cage.

* Mortal Kombat’s first time screenwriter Greg Russo told CBR this one is designed as the first of a trilogy. Taslim revealed in an interview with Variety he’s signed for four sequels, which just better not keep him from making more movies with Gareth Evans, or the recently announced third season of Warrior.