Fans of Mortal Kombat likely remember Johnny Cage for his jokes and funny quips, often to the irritation of his opponents. However, despite his comedic appeal and his questionable acting career, Johnny boasts just as much skill to defend Earthrealm in Mortal Kombat. As a result, Johnny earned the respect of peers such as Sonya Blade, Champion Liu Kang, and even Lord Raiden.
While Johnny returns as a staple cast member with a minor role in Mortal Kombat 11, fans cannot discount his contributions to the franchise. In fact, Johnny proved he is more than comic relief to Earthrealm’s roster of powerful protectors. However, what else does Johnny offer besides his memorable quotes?
10 Originally A JCVD Adaptation
Interestingly, Mortal Kombat did not serve as the immediate concept Midway Games aimed for in their fighting game. In fact, Midway originally wanted to create a fighting game based on Bloodsport, the hit 1988 action flick starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. In fact, Midway even presented JCVD with a demo reel that inserted his film footage in digital backgrounds. Sadly, this concept became unsuccessful.
Given this unsuccessful prototype, the concept for the JCVD character got carried over to the Mortal Kombat project. In turn, this tidbit makes Johnny Cage the first character created for the franchise.
9 Based On An Acting Stereotype
While JCVD refused the idea of being added into a fighting game, Midway did keep the idea for an actor-turned-fighter for their own title. As such, in Mortal Kombat‘s conception, the JCVD character got renamed to “Michael Grimm.” In his backstory, Grimm serves as a hit box office star of films such as “Dragon’s Fist,” “Dragon’s Fist II,” and “Sudden Violence.” Funnily enough, MK co-creator John Tobias described Grimm’s films as “R-rated schlocky martial arts films.”
When Midway finalized the characters for the game, Michael Grimm got the name John “Johnny Cage” Carlton. Interestingly, Midway got the real name from John Carlton, an actual programmer, and artist from the team.
8 That A-List Hollywood Wannabe
Most people – gamers, critics, and other Mortal Kombat characters alike – describe Johnny Cage as a pompous, egotistical jerk who never stops praising himself. Interestingly, it seems his character design intentionally made Johnny a representative of two stereotypes. Firstly, Johnny seems to embody controversial lower-tier celebrities with a knack of overestimating their fame because they starred in a few commercials.
Secondly, it seems Johnny also embodies the stereotype of the obnoxious, cocky, and equally-illogical hyper-macho man. Interestingly, regardless of how fans hate Johnny’s “basic” stereotypes, this personality does remain unique among Mortal Kombat‘s roster of vigilant, vengeful, and vindictive fighters. Given Johnny’s absence in the Mortal Kombat reboot film, it’s interesting whether the upcoming film would make any reference to him at all.
7 An Actor, Not Necessarily A Good One
Fans who love Johnny Cage would love his interactions with various Kombatants across the series. Funnily enough, a lot of their cutscene and pre-fight dialogues sometimes reference Kombatants watching – and often not liking – Cage’s films. For instance, bounty hunter Erron Black enlightens gamers that Johnny once starred in Western films. Additionally, both cyber ninja Cyrax and mercenary Kabal expressed a dislike for Cage’s films.
Likewise, Johnny does have fans among Kombatants. For instance, Fujin admits to being a fan of his films but not the actor himself. Likewise, Tremor openly praises Johnny’s films and his excitement to face him in Kombat.
6 Johnny And The Film References
As a character based on Hollywood films, it makes sense for Johnny to here and there reference some tropes and films in Hollywood. Interestingly, Johnny does add film references to various pre-fight dialogues while making comments to various characters. In MKX, he asks himself (Mirror Match) “How many of us are there?” to which the second Cage will answer, “There can only be one!” to reference Highlander.
Meanwhile, other references include Johnny calling Jax as “Tin Man” (The Wizard of Oz), calling Kitana as “Hello, nurse!” (Animaniacs), and calling Ferra/Torr as “Master Blaster” (Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome).
5 Johnny And Breaking The Fourth Wall
Aside from making references to other films, it seems Johnny also has a knack for mentioning other Mortal Kombat media throughout his interactions as well. For instance, in the first MK film, Cage leaves a photo with “To my greatest fan” signed on the back in the debris left from his match with Scorpion. Interestingly, this photo references his MK2 Friendship finishing move that involves signing a photo.
Meanwhile, before fighting Goro, Johnny asks the Shokan “Don’t you owe me some sunglasses?” This phrase references the 1995 MK film, where Goro crushes Johnny’s sunglasses during their fight.
4 Hollywood Kombat
Interestingly, fans of Johnny would also appreciate his penchant for using unique “methods” to fight his opponents. For instance, Johnny uses various “weird” weapons to deal damage to his opponents, to the point of breaking the fourth wall. For instance, Johnny has a stun move that utilizes a movie camera flash to induce the paralysis.
Meanwhile, Johnny also uses outright Hollywood concepts to perform his moves. Sometimes, Johnny uses movie props as deadly weapons to inflict damage to his opponents. Likewise, actual “stunt doubles” appear in his other moves to “aid” him attack his opponent.
3 Not A Pushover
Despite his comedic status, Johnny Cage is no pushover in terms of fighting. In fact, as a movie actor, Johnny devoted time and effort training under the tutelage of martial arts masters to fight on his own. As a result, Johnny has knowledge of fighting styles such as Karate and even received military training to handle various weapons.
Additionally, it’s soon revealed that Johnny himself possesses unique supernatural abilities. As it turns out, Johnny descends from a Mediterranean cult of warriors that fought for gods. While his lineage itself doesn’t have a name, Johnny materializes this power in the form of green energy. Interestingly, even his powers remain a mystery to the likes of Raiden, who realized Johnny’s lineage allows him to fight on the level of an Elder God. His daughter Cassie can also manifest this ability.
2 A Road To Redemption
However, it seems even Johnny Cage deserves a redemption arc. Beginning MK 2011, the actor-fighter seems to slowly develop his character after Raiden attempts to break away from the original timeline. In turn, Johnny somehow gets together with Sonya Blade, has a daughter Cassie, and even takes his training seriously. Johnny even leads Earthrealm’s special forces team that serves as the realm’s protectors.
Interestingly, the game’s plot also explores this “road to redemption” with his visual style and gameplay patterns. In terms of visuals, Johnny’s main outfit now bridges his goofy theatrics and his current spec-ops job. Likewise, his fighting style now prominently features his Mediterranean Warrior heritage. These take in the form of more forceful punches and kicks that feature green energy.
1 The Comedic Iron Fist
Hardcore Mortal Kombat fans would remember martial artist Daniel Pesina as Johnny’s actor in both MK and MK2. While Midway and Pesina had a falling-out that resulted in the latter’s departure, Pesina did provide useful insights regarding Johnny Cage. According to him, Daniel Rand the Iron Fist became a major inspiration for Johnny.
Interestingly, the Daniel Rand comparison makes sense to some extent. For one, comic book fans would remember the Iron Fist as a homage to 70s martial arts heroes in films. Additionally, the Iron Fist’s eponymous Iron Fist has a signature green glow that the hero uses to protect others. In comparison, Johnny Cage’s mystic powers also manifest as green energy – something he trained to master before working as the head of Earthrealm’s diplomatic fighters.
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