Zhang Jin Cast In Pacific Rim 2

Pacific Rim fans, it's time to roll out the welcome jaeger! Yet another talented actor has joined the cast of Pacific Rim: Maelstrom, the long-awaited sequel to its kaiju-driven series. Chinese actor Zhang Jin has signed onto the film according to Variety.

"We are very excited that we have such amazing Chinese talent joining us on 'Pacific Rim' our new story has a strong connection to China and this great Chinese cast will help us bring it to life," Dr. Jack Gao, an execeuctive at Beijing Wanda Cultural Industry Group, said.

If you are not familiar with Jin's work, then you should know he is a prolific actor overseas. His most notable film credits include projects like The Grandmaster, SPL 2, The Man From Macau, and he acted as stunt double in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Jin will not be the only Chinese or even Asian actor be star in the blockbuster. Other talent like Wesley Wong, Jian Wong, Lily Ji, Chen Zitong, Lan Yingying and Qian Yong Chen will feature in the film. Kim Jeong-Hoon, a Korean actor, will also appear in Pacific Rim: Maelstrom.

So far, the film is setting itself up with a talented cast of diverse actors. Star Wars' John Boyega will lead the film as Stacker Pentecost's son. Cailee Spaeny has been cast at the female lead.

Earlier this month, production on Pacific Rim: Maelstrom finally began in Australia. Director Steven S. DeKnight celebrated the occasion with an Instagram post, and set photos of Boyega filming recently hit the Internet as well. Production kicked off in Queensland before moving outside the city.

Obviously, fans are happy to see the sequel finally get the attention it deserves. The movie was announced shortly after the first Pacific Rim installment premiered, but it has had its ups-and-downs since. The second movie was expected to hit theaters next April, but Universal eventually scrapped the date and shelved the project. In February, DeKnight joined the film and ushered in Guillermo del Toro as a producer to get the film running once more.

Pacific Rim 2 will hit theaters on February 23, 2018.

[H/T] Variety