Guillermo del Toro’s kept a stiff upper lip about being edged out by Steven S. DeKnight as director of the Pacific Rim sequel, as well as having his script replaced by one from Doctor Strange writer Jon Spaihts. And the director has remained a good sport about the whole thing, even in the face of the most recent development: Deadline reports that John Boyega will be stepping into the kaiju and heading for the waterfront for Pacific Rim 2.
The Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor has been cast as the lead thanks to his undeniable “talent and natural charm,” according to producer Mary Parent. “John stands out amongst today’s generation of young leading men,” she continued, presumably having already forgotten about Charlie Hunnam’s turn as a kaiju warrior in the first film. And Boyega sounds pretty stoked about taking over for the impassive Hunnam:
Del Toro also praised Boyega, while keeping his disappointment at bay. But if, as he hopes, Maisie Williams signs up for the robot battle royale, we might finally see his resolve crumble.
“I am very proud and happy to welcome John into a fantastic sandbox. The Pacific Rim universe will be reinforced with him as a leading man as it continues to be a multicultural, multi-layered world. ‘The World saving the world’ was our goal and I couldn’t think of a better man for the job.”