Pacific Rim sequel 'Maelstrom' begins production; Guillermo Del Toro takes over screenplay

It's official - Pacific Rim's sequel titled "Pacific Rim: Maelstrom" has began shooting and is announced to be in theaters sometime in 2018.

The director from Pacific Rim's first installment Guillermo del Toro has stepped down and made way for new director Steven DeKnight, some of his work include directing television series Daredevil, Smallville, and Angel. DeKnight may not be a stranger in directing TV series, but Pacific Rim: Maelstrom will be his fist time directing a movie.

However, del Toro remains a part of the movie sequel as one of the screenplay writers along with Kira Snyder (producer for The 100) and Jon Spaihts (also announced to be writing for Van Helsing).

Shoot for the film started during the 9th of November when director Steven DeKnight tweeted a photo of the movie's clapperboard saying, "Day 1 of shooting. The adventure begins... #PacificRim2." According to Entertainment Weekly, the movie began production in Sydney, Australia.

The film is written to follow the story of the franchise's first installment. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" actor John Boyega will be playing the son of Stacker Pentecost (formerly played by Idris Elba). Also in the film are Max Martini, Scott Eastwood, Cailee Spaeny, Jing Tian and Levi Meaden, this according to Comingsoon. Rumored to reappear in the sequel film is Ron Perlman as his character from the first Pacific Rim film "Hannibal Chau."

Sources also reported that Universal Pictures will be distributing the film across the globe except for China. Get set for the return of these gigantic robots fighting for the planet's survival against monstrous creatures known as "Kaiju." Pacific Rim: Maelstrom is scheduled to screen on February 23, 2018.