Finally, kaiju and Guillermo del Toro fans can breathe easy: Pacific Rim 2 has officially been greenlit. While the film underperformed domestically, its amazing international numbers helped push it over the $400m threshold, paving an easier path towards a sequel. Last October, it was confirmed that del Toro and screenwriter Tom Beachman were working on a script for a sequel despite the film not being confirmed for production by Legendary Pictures. Luckily, all of that work will be proven not for naught. Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand) has also been brought on board to work on a new treatment for the script.
There were high expectations for Pacific Rim that, unfortunately, weren’t lived up to. However, I predict that Pacific Rim 2: Son of Pacific Rim’s Electric Boogalo will be the film we all expected. Now that the mythos have been introduced and characters established, I feel like del Toro can go all out with his intentions, creating both the kaiju and mecha film we all need and deserve.
You can read the official Pacific Rim 2 statement below:
Guillermo del Toro returns to direct Legendary Pictures’ PACIFIC RIM 2, the next chapter of the epic action-adventure he created with 2013’s hit original film. Zak Penn will write the script with del Toro. Legendary’s Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni once again produce alongside del Toro, Mary Parent and Callum Greene. Jillian Share will executive produce. Universal Pictures will release the film worldwide in 3D and IMAX 3D.
[via /Film]