‘Pacific Rim’ 2 Casts John Boyega in Lead Role

Jun 07, 2016 04:15 AM EDT

(Photo : Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) John Boyega accepts the award for Best Male Newcomer on stage during the Jameson Empire Awards 2016 at The Grosvenor House Hotel on March 20, 2016 in London, England.

Legendary Film's "Pacific Rim" 2 has recently added John Boyega to its expanding cast of characters.

Boyega, who shot to super stardom via last year's blockbuster hit "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," will take on the lead role of the "Pacific Rim" sequel, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Like Us on Facebook

"It is undeniable that with all his talent and natural charm, John stands out amongst today's generation of young leading men," said Legendary vice chairman of worldwide production Mary Parent.

Although the film's plot remains under wraps, Boyega will reportedly portray the son Idris Elba who figured prominently in the original movie.

This development raises the possibility that events in the upcoming film will closely follow those of its precursor, featuring massive robots known as Jaegers which battled fearsome giant creatures from the deep.

"Pacific Rim" 2, whose other cast members are expected to be revealed soon, will be directed by Steven S. DeKnight based on the world imagined by Guillermo del Toro and Travis Beacham.

The upcoming sci-fi film will be produced by Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni and Del Toro together with Boyega and Femi Oguns under their Upper Room Productions shingle.

The "Pacific Rim" sequel will be executive produced by Cale Boyter and distributed by Universal Pictures globally except for China.

The first "Pacific Rim," movie directed by Del Toro, was released in July 2013. The film, which stared Elba and Charlie Hunnam, earned an impressive $411 million worldwide.

"I am very proud and happy to welcome John into a fantastic sandbox," said Del Toro.

"The Pacific Rim universe will be reinforced with him as a leading man as it continues to be a multicultural, multi-layered world,'" he added. "'The World saving the world' was our goal and I couldn't think of a better man for the job."

"Pacific Rim" 2 has a sure winner in its newest cast member John Boyega who is represented by WME, Identity Agency Group in the U.K. and Hansen Jacobson.

TagsPacific Rim 2, Pacific Rim 2 Cast, john boyega