Johnny Cage's Reboot Character Development Explored

I remembered not liking or thinking too high of Johnny Cage until later in the series or better yet in the reboot. The reason was because of his cocky attitude. However, one can see how Mortal Kombat has changed Johnny Cage that much in the reboot. The original timeline had him murdered during the Outworld invasion, revived in MK4/Gold and killed/revived again in MK Deception and MK Armageddon. But now, I'd like to talk how I really enjoy his character development in the reboot.

The first reboot game presented him as a hero but he doesn't know it. He doesn't take the tournament seriously until he found out that he had a purpose. He has a hyperactive, big mouth yet he starts to mature when he meets Sonya, marries her, they get estranged and somehow reconcile during Mortal Kombat X's final events. The first three events in the reboot game caused him to mature especially when he saw his comrades die in front of him. Remember that scene when a fully resurrected Sindel killed him where only he and Sonya became the survivors?

The later events have him leave Hollywood (which he said made him a bigger asshole in MK11 to his past self) and somehow joined the military. The comics does highlight Sonya's insecurity and the more reformed and mature Johnny as Cassie's father. He did defeat Shinnok 25 years ago -- then Cassie wouuld repeat her father's success by unlocking the same hidden source of power. The reconciliation was made clear in MK11. He did look genuinely stunned at the death of his wife and did everything to console Cassie.

Perhaps, this also cemented to why Johnny has become one of my favorite characters.