Karl Urban is Ready to Reprise His Role as Judge Dredd!

Actor Karl Urban says he would gladly reprise his role if a Dredd sequel ever gets the green light.

Karl Urban as Judge Dredd in the 2012 classic film. Image courtesy of Lionsgate

Karl Urban, known for his role as Judge Dredd in the 2012 film written by Alex Garland and directed by Pete Travis, is apparently keen on returning to his judge, jury, and executioner character.

Out promoting his new film “The Bluff” and ahead of a busy schedule of promotional work on “The Boys” final season, along with his upcoming “Mortal Kombat II” film set for theatrical release, Urban was asked during an interview on the The Playlist podcast about the possibility of a return.

“I would love to reprise that role in a heartbeat. I really would. I had so much fun making that movie. If I’m not part of it, then I’m all good with it. I just want to see more Dredd stories.” Urban said.

While the news of Urban admitting that he would be “happy” to make a return as Dredd has become a major talking point for fans on social media, it does not change the fact that an entirely new production has been moving forward without him.

Last July, news came via the Hollywood Reporter that filmmaker Taika Waititi, who ironically worked with Urban on Thor: Ragnarok, would be directing an all-new Judge Dredd feature film that aims to be a darker, more faithful adaptation of the original 1977 British 2000 AD comic book.

While fans have campaigned for a sequel for over a decade, Urban has repeatedly stated he would return “in a heartbeat” if given the chance. Photo courtesy of AP

Because the film project is being framed as a total reboot rather than a sequel, industry analysts have suggested the chances of Urban reprising the role are “very slim.” This news is a major downer for the original movie’s fanbase, which has only grown louder through the years for his return.

Waititi should at least consider him for the role again, even if it is a “complete” reboot. The actor’s portrayal of Dredd is widely acclaimed for his unwavering devotion to the character’s comic book roots, particularly in how he captures the uncompromising, cold, and authoritative nature.

Reboots with original actors from previous films are considered uncommon, although the most recent example would have to be Nic Cage playing Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider (2007) and again in the reimagined version Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011). This was a completely different take on the character, and Cage nailed it.

Entertainment Weekly’s first look at Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat II. Image copyright Warner Bros.

For now, Urban is set to appear as Johnny Cage in the Mortal Kombat sequel, which I will definitely be seeing when it hits theaters worldwide on May 8th with a box of popcorn and a soda in hand. But before I sign off, I have to wonder if his portrayal of Johnny could somehow provide the boost needed for Waititi and his producers to take notice; I mean, it’s not like they haven’t worked together before. Well, I guess we will just have to wait and see.

You can watch Urban’s complete interview with The Playlist below: