Last week, a report claimed that the highly-anticipatedPacific Rim 2has now beendelayed indefinitely, which was paired with the news thatGuillermo del Torohas signed on to develop and direct a remake ofFantastic Voyage. We never heard anything official about this delay from Legendary Pictures or Universal Pictures, but today we have an update from directorGuillermo del Toro, who reveals the project is still alive. Here’s what the director had to say through hisTwitterpage yesterday.
“Pacific Rim 2cancelled? Don’t believe everything you read. It’s still going and I’ll remain w it in one way or another!”
The last update we got onPacific Rim 2was fromGuillermo del Torohimself, who revealed on his Twitter page in October that he had turned in the script and budget for the sequel. The director’s comments that he’ll be involved “one way or another” could be a hint that he may no longer be directing, with another filmmaker coming in to direct the script he co-wrote withTravis BeachamandZak Penn. We don’t know for sure, but it’s possible thatGuillermo del Toromay now only be involved as a writer and producer, now that he’s taken the reins onFantastic Voyage.
Our report from last week also revealed that Chinese property and investment firm Dalian Wanda Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake inLegendary Entertainment, news which was confirmed through a press release sent out earlier today. This acquisition of Legendary could bode well for the development ofPacific Rim 2, since the originalPacific Rimearned $111.9 million in China, the movie’s highestbox officegross in any worldwide market, including the U.S. ($101.8 million). While we don’t know for certain yet, it’s possible that this major studio merger could breath 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.
Pacific Rim 2had been set for release on August 22, 2025, but that release date was scrapped late last year. Even if the project does move ahead, with or without Guillermo del Toro at the helm, it may still be many years before we see it on the big screen. Are you glad thatPacific Rim 2isn’t completely dead yet? Do you hope Guillermo del Toro is still on board to direct?
