John Boyega is suiting up in a Jaeger for one of his next starring roles.
Mike Fleming Jr. of Deadline reports Boyega, who portrayed Fin in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has signed on to play the lead in Pacific Rim 2, the sequel to the 2013 robot/monster fighting movie Pacific Rim. Boyega announced on Instagram his company, UpperRoom Productions, will be co-producing the movie with Legendary Pictures.
Deadline reports Boyega will play the son of Idris Elba’s Pacific Rim character Stacker Pentecost. Guillermo Del Toro, who directed the first installment and will be producing the sequel, told the publication he’s thrilled to welcome Boyega to the series.
“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.”
It’s brilliant casting by Del Toro. Boyega has a great track record with sci-fi adventures, starring in the underrated Attack the Block before breaking out in Star Wars. He’s a charismatic actor who brings ample energy to the screen. The Pacific Rim universe is exactly the kind of movie which needs that type of performance.
There haven’t been too many details released about Pacific Rim 2 other than Steven S. DeKnight (Marvel’s Daredevil) will direct, Del Toro will produce and now Boyega will star. For a sequel that once didn’t seem necessary, it’s slowly taking shape in becoming what’s sure to be an entertaining blockbuster. No official release date has been announced.
[Deadline]
