A maelstrom is about to hit Australia. Well, not a literal one. Last week, actor John Boyega decided to share a photo of the script with the title "Pacific Rim: Maelstrom." For months now, the name has been rumored to be the title of the "Pacific Rim" sequel, so this revelation isn't much of a surprise. While production has started recently in the land Down Under, another familiar face has joined the cast.
Variety has reported that "Spartacus" actor Nick Tarabay has been cast to play an unspecified role in the film. He won't be the only "Spartacus" alum working on "Pacific Rim: Maelstrom" since director Steve S. DeKnight also acted as the showrunner of the Starz series.
Tarabay has played recurring roles in a number of TV series including "Arrow," "Castle," "Longmire," and "Person of Interest." He also appeared as a Klingon patrol officer in "Star Trek Into Darkness." He will join a talented cast that includes Boyega, Cailee Spaeny, "Suicide Squad" actor Scott Eastwood, "Kong: Skull Island" star Jing Tian, Levi Meaden, Mackenyu Maeda, and Adria Arjona. Boyega will be playing Stacker Pentecost's (Idris Elba) son in "Pacific Rim: Maelstrom."
Charlie Hunnam isn't coming back as Raleigh Becket, but Guillermo del Toro said some of the original cast may return for the sequel. Will Ron Perlman return as Hannibal Chau? What about Rinko Kikuchi? Her character, Mako Mori, was one of the main characters in the first film.
DeKnight took over the director's chair after del Toro decided to step down as director of the project. del Toro will produce the film along with Boyega, Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni, and Femi Oguns. Cale Boyter is the film's executive producer.
The cast and crew are currently filming in Australia, but DeKnight has revealed that they will also be shooting scenes in China.
"Pacific Rim: Maelstrom" will hit the cinemas on Feb. 23, 2018.
