The giant robots and kaiju may be coming back for another round in Pacific Rim 2, but the first film’s star Charlie Hunnam will not be returning. The actor confirmed to Yahoo! Movies that he will not be reprising his role as jaeger pilot Raleigh Beckett for the sequel.
Hunan sited a scheduling conflict that is preventing his return for the film that should begin shooting late this year. Hunnam’s character reportedly had a major role in the early drafts of the sequel’s screenplay. He did state that he was still excited for that a sequel is being made, even without his participation –
I’m very excited about it. I’m glad they’re making it.
Taking the lead of the film will now be Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘s John Boyega, appearing as the son of Idris Elba’s character, Stacker Pentecost. There is still no word as to whether any of the original cast that was still alive at the end of the first film such as Rinko Kikuchi, Burn Gorman, Charlie Day or Ron Perlman will be returning.
Steven S. DeKnight is set to take over the directorial reigns from Guillermo del Toro, who is still attached to the sequel as a producer. Pacific Rim 2 is set for a February 23, 2018 release date.
