Pacific Rim 2 Scoops Up Female Lead

Actress and pop singer Cailee Spaeny is bound for the big time – and we’re talking the really, really big time, for Variety brings word that the up-and-comer has landed the female lead in 2018’s blockbuster sequel, Pacific Rim 2.

There, Spaeny will star opposite The Force Awakens breakout John Boyega, Scott Eastwood and definitely not Charlie Hunnam, after the latter all but ruled himself out of proceedings only two months ago. Taking the reins from Guillermo del Toro, it is Daredevil helmer Steven S. DeKnight that will take point at the helm for Pacific Rim 2 – said to be titled Maelstrom – which currently occupies a February 23, 2018 release date.

Rest assured, del Toro remains attached to the follow-up in a producer’s role, and was recently dropping some story hints regarding the possible areas that DeKnight’s creature feature could explore. Three years ago, the core story of Pacific Rim may have left much to be desired – trading nuance for grand spectacle and an almost irresistible sense of fun – but there’s plenty still to be explored in and around the Breach and the kaiju homeworld. Could we potentially see a category 6 kaiju wreak havoc in two years’ time? Time will tell.

Despite a rocky road to development, Variety notes that Pacific Rim 2 will lumber off the conveyor and into production come November, when shooting will take place across Australia and parts of China. It’s currently penciled in for launch on February 23, 2018, and we’ll be bringing you all the news on this one as it develops.