After being kept in the dark for almost a year, this February we finally got an update that served as confirmation that a sequel to Guillermo del Toro's 2013 science fiction monster movie Pacific Rim is indeed happening. It was announced that del Toro won't be directing it; rather, he will be a producer. Marvel's Daredevil Season One showrunner Stephen S. DeKnight will make his directorial debut with the sequel.
Now, we have another update on Pacific Rim 2, and it's an exciting one. Deadline confirms that Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega has sealed a deal with Legendary Pictures to join the upcoming venture.
The British actor will be playing the lead role in Pacific Rim 2. The name of his character hasn't been revealed, but we are pretty sure that PENTECOST is the surname, because Boyega's character is the son of Stacker Pentecost, the character portrayed by Idris Elba in the original movie.
Guillermo del Toro has offered a statement to the outlet about John Boyega's inclusion on the Pacific Rim sequel's cast roster. Here's what he says:
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.
Mary Parent, another Pacific Rim 2 producer, praises the actor by saying that he "stands out amongst today's generation of young leading men" with "all his talent and natural charm".
John Boyega is currently filming Star Wars: Episode VIII, in which he returns as the former First Order Stormtrooper Finn. We will be seeing him alongside Tom Hanks, Emma Watson and Karen Gillian later this year in another science fiction venture named The Circle.
