'Pacific Rim 2' Cast, Plot & News: Film to Star Maisie Williams? Guillermo del Toro Reveals Truth!
Despite the removal of "Pacific Rim 2" from its schedule, Universal claimed that the studio is still devoted to developing the sequel with Guillermo del Toro, who helmed the 2013 original sci-fi film. It also looks like the filmmaker is aiming to cast "Game of Thrones" actress Maisie Williams in the follow-up.
In a tweet posted on Oct. 3, del Toro wrote about casting the 18-year-old in the sequel: "Had lunch with Maisie Williams yesterday. Remarkable. Dammit- if PR2 happens, that girl is getting a Jaeger."
The HBO show is considered as Williams' breakout role as Arya Stark, Screencrush noted. She also starred in the 2014 movies "The Falling" and "Corvidae," and in this year's "Cyberbully."
"Pacific Rim 2," which is backed by Universal in partnership with Legendary Entertainment, was originally intended to bow in theaters on Aug. 4, 2017, Entertainment Weekly reported. The Hollywood Reporter also said earlier in September that the project is in trouble of getting made.
"Legendary and Universal Pictures are committed to having 'Pacific Rim 2,' the sequel to 2013's 'Pacific Rim,' which generated more $411 million at the global box office, be the vanguard, fully-immersive experience that the franchise deserves," Universal said in a statement quoted by Entertainment Weekly. "To this end, the decision was made to delay the production and release of 'Pacific Rim 2' so that the creative team can continue in its efforts to exceed the amazing experience of the first film."
SlashFilm wrote that the first film only grossed $101 million at the domestic box office. The international box office saw a more successful income of $310 million, led by $114 million in China, Variety noted.
Aside from expanding the Kaiju's mythology, del Toro revealed that the follow-up will focus on the creatures' technology and how they made a portal that "ripped a hole into the fabric of our universe," Movie Pilot reported.
"Pacific Rim 2" is said to feature Charlie Day and Burn Gorman as the main characters. Charlie Hunnam's character, Raleigh Becket, will still have a major participation, according to a separate report from SlashFilm.
Del Toro also dropped a big revelation about the cast lineup. "I think that everybody or most everybody that survived is back. The rest we killed. We killed half the cast," he shared, as reported by the news outlet.
The Mexican director's announcement of the follow-up last year also revealed that he will serve as the producer alongside Legendary's Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni, Mary Parent, and Callum Greene, Variety listed. Del Toro will pen the screenplay alongside Travis Beacham and Zak Penn.