While the first Pacific Rim movie wasn't exactly a hit ($411 million worldwide on a $190 million budget), it was still one fun movie. And Legendary, the studio behind it, knows that. So even if Guillermo del Toro isn’t back in the director's chair, the sequel will happen. And now we know when it will be released! Legendary has just announced that Pacific Rim 2 is slated for the 23^rd of February 2018.

So, is this a good release date? Not really, since February was (until now) best known as the month where movies go to die. This changed with Deadpool, and will continue to change in the years to come. Pacific Rim 2 will be released one week later than Marvel's Black Panther. Even more, The Flash will be released a couple of weeks after that. So there will be competition at the box office.

But Pacific Rim 2 may have an ace in the hole. John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) has already signed to produce and star in the movie. He will portray the son of Idris Elba's character from the previous installment. So already the sequel has cast a rising star.

But this isn't all. The studio has its eye on Scott Eastwood, as well. Reportedly, the negotiations have already begun. Even if he has been better known as being just the son of Clint Eastwood, he’s slowly making a name for himself as an actor. In addition to the upcoming Suicide Squad, Scott Eastwood will also appear in Oliver Stone's Snowden, Ben Affleck's Live by Night, and Fast 8.

So yes - Pacific Rim 2 does look good on paper. Guillermo del Toro wrote the script. Charlie Hunnam is set to return. And director Steven S. DeKnight worked on Netflix's Daredevil, Smallville, and Angel.

Pacific Rim: Maelstrom will be released in 2018, on the 23^rd of February.