Pacific Rim 2 Gets 2018 Release Date

After Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim stunned audiences years ago with its monster-sized action, Legendary and Universal have announced that the franchise's sequel will hit theaters on February 23, 2018.

Directed by Steve S. DeKnight, Pacific Rim 2 has been a long-coming project as fans saw the franchise's first film hit theaters back in 2013. Starring Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba, the blockbusting film became a global success with the film scoring well with both fans and critics. While a sequel seemed inevitable for the film, the anticipated project was continually pushed back as rumors swirled that creative differences and scheduling conflicts between Warner Bros. and Legendary were hindering the sequel's progress.

However, the film resurfaced to public consciousness earlier this month as news reported that breakout star John Boyega had signed on to the project. Known for his role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Boyega took to Twitter to confirm his involvement and add that he was playing a leading role in the sequel. The actor is set to play the son of the Idris Elba's late Stacker Pentecost, and fans just about broke social media as they flooded feeds with their excitement over the casting confirmation.

While it is unknown if Charlie Hunnam or other actors like Rinko Kikuchi will reprise their roles for the Pacific Rim sequel, fans are gearing up for further announcements now that the studios have confirmed a release date. Earlier last year, screenwriter Zak Penn did reveal some information by saying the film would focus on the origins of the monstrous Kaiju, the franchise's primary antagonists. And, while Guillermo del Toro will not be directing Pacific Rim's sequel, the acclaimed director has spoken openly about his excitement over the film as he'll be producing the project.