What an age we live in where one of the most anticipated sequels of the decade includes giant mech robots and sea monster alien things.  Of course, I’m talking about 2013’s Pacific Rim from visionary director  Guillermo del Toro. After much bouncing around in development hell, it would seem the jaegers are again powering forward toward the much awaited Pacific Rim 2 sequel over at Legendary Pictures.

Variety is reporting that the young powerhouse actor John Boyega, who brought the character of Finn to life in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, has joined the cast of Pacific Rim 2, and he’ll be playing the son of Idris Elba’s character from the original film.   Steven S. DeKnight (Smallville, Daredevil) will be directing the film under the current working title of Pacific Rim: Maelstrom.

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

“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,” del Toro said. “‘The World saving the world’ was our goal and I couldn’t think of a better man for the job.”

As to who may be back for the sequel, Cinemablend said in October of 2015 that Geiszler (Charlie Day) and Gottlieb (Burn Gorman) will be the main characters.  Time will tell, and hopefully we’ll see Charlie Hunnam back alongside Rinko Kikuchi.  Also, I’m pretty sure we can all agree that Hannibal Chau needs to make at least a cameo, perhaps still looking for his other goddamned shoe?

Early reports have Pacific Rim 2 set to hit theaters sometime in 2017, but with casting just NOW happening, that is subject to change.  We’ll let you know as more information becomes available.