Karl Urban Expresses Interest in Reprising Judge Dredd Role for New Movie Directed by Taika Waititi

Karl Urban Expresses Interest in Reprising Judge Dredd Role for New Movie Directed by Taika Waititi

Karl Urban, best known for his role as Billy Butcher on The Boys, expressed his interest in reprising his role as Judge Dredd, a character he portrayed in the 2012 film Dredd. Despite the initial lackluster box office performance, the movie has gained a dedicated fan following over the years. Urban shared his enthusiasm for returning as Judge Dredd during an appearance on The Discourse podcast while promoting his new film, The Bluff.

In a recent update from The Hollywood Reporter in July 2025, it was revealed that director Taika Waititi is set to helm a new Judge Dredd movie. However, the likelihood of Urban reprising his role in the upcoming project seems uncertain. Urban himself acknowledged the possibility of returning as Dredd on the podcast, expressing his eagerness to revisit the character and explore more Dredd stories.

The character of Judge Dredd, created by Carlos Ezquerra and John Wagner in the 1970s, has a rich history in comic books and previous film adaptations. While Sylvester Stallone portrayed the character in the 1995 Judge Dredd movie, Urban's portrayal in the 2012 film received critical acclaim. The movie holds an impressive 80 percent Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating positive reviews from critics, and a 72 percent score on the Popcornmeter based on audience feedback.

Despite the potential involvement of writer Drew Pearce in the new Judge Dredd project, specific plot details remain undisclosed. Urban's passion for the character and his desire to see more Dredd stories indicate his willingness to return to the role if given the opportunity. Fans of the iconic character can look forward to the evolution of the Judge Dredd franchise under the direction of Taika Waititi, with the possibility of Urban reprising his role adding to the anticipation.