PACIFIC RIM 2 coming April 2017, plus animated series

pacific_rim_featuredHannibal Chau will finally have a chance to find his g–damn shoe – in PACIFIC RIM 2 – just announced by Guillermo del Toro and Legendary pictures.

But don’t let me spoil it for you – I will step aside and let “el maestro” speak:

You heard it folks – a new PACIFIC RIM animated series, plus more kaiju-butt-kicking Jaegers in a feature film sequel slated for April 7, 2017.

PACIFIC RIM 2 will be written by del Toro and Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand and The Incredible Hulk).  Travis Beacham, the co-screenwriter for the first film, will also be involved.

Interestingly enough, the film will be distributed by Universal and not Warner Bros.. Legendary ended its partnership with WB in 2013 and agreed to a five-year partnership with Universal.

Guillermo told Buzzfeed in early June that he was developing the sequel with Penn:

“The characters I love will return,” del Toro told BuzzFeed in an exclusive new statement. “Raleigh, Mako, Newt, Gottlieb and who knows, maybe even Hannibal Chau – but we are taking them into a fresh territory that will display amazing sights and battles. The first film set the stage and now we’re ready to have a blast.”

The original actors, including Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, and Burn Gorman, are expected to return for the sequel, but nothing official has been announced.

PACIFIC RIM, although performing to modest expectations in the States, went bonkers overseas and before all was said and done it had grossed over $400 million.  This was a good enough performance  for Legendary to have faith and a sequel and try to establish a franchise.

And releasing an animated series to expand the franchise and universe is a good move – much like what was done with THE CLONE WARS on Cartoon Network.