Just last night director Guillermo del Toro teased “Movement in the breach- stay tuned…” and we all knew big Pacific Rim 2 news was on the way. But we had no idea it would be this big. Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega is trading in his blaster for a Jaeger.
Movement in the breach- stay tuned…
– Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) June 6, 2016
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We already knew Daredevil's Steven S. DeKnight was set to direct (with some enthusiastic words of support from del Toro) with Derek Connolly (Jurassic World, Star Wars: Episode IX) penning the script for Pacific Rim: Maelstrom.
Deadline reports:
Legendary Pictures has set Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega for the lead role for the second installment of its Pacific Rim franchise. Steven S. DeKnight is directing the film, which will begin production in the fourth quarter of this year, based on the world created by Guillermo del Toro and Travis Beacham.
Boyega, whose breakout came with Attack The Block, next stars with Tom Hanks and Emma Watson in The Circle, and follows The Force Awakens with Star Wars: Episode VIII, as well as the animated BBC miniseries Watership Down opposite James McAvoy and Ben Kingsley. Boyega will make his stage-starring debut on the West End in Woyzeck at The Old Vic, next year.
While we haven't heard too much about where the sequel will take us, Deadline revealed Boyega will be playing the son of Idris Elba's character Stacker Pentecost.
I'll be taking on the Pacific Rim franchise with Steven S.Deknight directing. Very excited!
– John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) June 6, 2016
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Producer Mary Parent said, “It is undeniable that with all his talent and natural charm, John stands out amongst today”s generation of young leading men” while del Toro said, “I am very proud and happy to welcome John into a fantastic sandbox. The Pacific Rim universe will be reinforced with him as a leading man as it continues to be a multicultural, multi-layered world. ‘The World saving the world” was our goal and I couldn”t think of a better man for the job.”
UPDATE: Boyega has also tweeted his company UpperRoom Productions will be co-producing with Legendary.
So happy! My company UpperRoom Productions founded by myself & @MrFemiOguns, will co-produce #PacificRim2 alongside @Legendary
– John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) June 6, 2016