‘Pacific Rim 2’ Cast, News: John Boyega Stars as the Son of Idris Elba’s Stacker Pentecost

‘Pacific Rim’ casts John Boyega as the son of Idris Elba’s character Stacker Pentecost from the original film. No other returning actors have been named.

‘Pacific Rim 2’, otherwise known as ‘Pacific Rim: Maelstrom’, recently cast John Boyega in a yet unnamed character. He is set to play the son of Idris Elba’s character Stacker Pentecost from the first film.

According to Variety, producer Guillermo del Toro announced Boyega’s involvement in a statement. It read, “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.”

Mary Parent, Legendary Pictures’ vice chairman of worldwide production, also welcomed Boyega to the new project. She said, “It is undeniable that with all his talent and natural charm, John stands out amongst today’s generation of young leading men.” 

Boyega rose to international prominence for his role on Disney and Lucasfilm’s 2015 release ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ directed by J.J. Abrams. He played Finn, a human male who served as a Stormtrooper in the First Order before abandoning his post to help the Resistance. The 24-year old British actor also starred in the science-fiction comedy ‘Attack the Block’, where he won the Black Reel Award for Best Actor.

According to Collider, no other returning actors have been named in the statement. The original film directed by del Toro starred Elba as Pan Pacific Defense Corps Marshal Stacker Pentecost, Charlie Hunnam as lead protagonist and PPDC Ranger Raleigh Becket, Rinko Kikuchi as PPDC Ranger Mako Mori, Charlie Day as scientist Dr. Newton Geiszler, and Ron Perlman as black marketeer Hannibal Chau.

The first kaiju film grossed $411 million worldwide against a production budget of $190 million, according to Box Office Mojo. It earned $101.8 million in domestic sales but fared relatively better in foreign sales of $309.2 million – with $111.9 million coming from China.

‘Pacific Rim 2’ is an upcoming science-fiction and action film directed by Steven S. DeKnight. Del Toro returns as producer together with Callum Greene, Jon Jashni, Mary Parent, and Thomas Tull. John Boyega is co-producing and Jillian Share is executive producing.