After the gothic horror-thrillerCrimson Peakhit theaters last year, directorGuillermo del Toro’s next project was originally believed to bePacific Rim 2. The filmmaker was set to start production in Toronto last fall, but reports surfaced in September that thesequel start datewas being pushed to sometime in 2016. Shortly thereafter, rumors sprung up that Legendary and Universal Pictures were cancelling the project altogether. The director later clarified that the planned release date of June 03, 2025 had been scrapped, although the project was still happening. Today we have a new report fromThe Hollywood Reporterthat claims the sequel has now been delayed indefinitely.
We reported earlier today thatGuillermo del Torois in talks to develop and direct 20th Century Fox’s long-gestating remake ofFantastic Voyage, which came about after Legendary and Universal shelvedPacific Rim 2. The last we heard about the sequel was thatGuillermo del Torohad finished the script and turned in the budget back in late October. While it isn’t know if this project will ever happen now, there is a new development that could help breathe new life into the sequel.
Earlier this week,Reutersreported that Chinese property and investment firm Dalian Wanda Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Legendary Entertainment. When the originalPacific Rimhit theaters in 2013, it earned $111.9 million in China, the movie’s highest gross in any worldwide market, including the U.S. ($101.8 million). While we don’t know for certain yet, it’s possible that this move could bring new life back intoPacific Rim 2.
Guillermo del Toro co-wrote the script withTravis Beacham(Pacific Rim) andJon Spaihts(Doctor Strange). No returning cast members from Pacific Rim have been confirmed, but it is believed thatCharlie Hunnam,Idris Elba,Rinko Kikuchi,Charlie DayandRon Perlmanwill be coming back. The director revealed that he plans on bringing back everyone who survived fromPacific Rim.
WithGuillermo del Toronow in talks to direct 20th Century Fox’sFantastic Voyage, which doesn’t have a planned release date at this time, it isn’t known when we may hear more about the fate ofPacific Rim 2. The Dalian Wanda Group’s majority-stake purchase of Legendary has not been finalized yet, so if you were hoping to seePacific Rim 2within the next few years, you may have quite the long wait ahead of you. Would you rather see Guillermo del Toro directPacific Rim 2next orFantastic Voyage?
