John Boyega to Star in 'Pacific Rim' Sequel

By Rebecca Ford, The Hollywood Reporter

Off the success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, John Boyega has been cast in Legendary’s Pacific Rim sequel.

He will play the lead character, the son of Idris Elba’s character from the original film. The plot for the sequel has been kept under wraps, but the casting of Boyega in the role means that the film will follow the events of first, set in a world where monster-fighting robot suits known as Jaegers are created to fight against monstrous sea creatures.

The project will be directed by Steven S. DeKnight based on the world created by Guillermo del Toro and Travis Beacham. Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni, and del Toro will produce the action adventure film along with Boyega and Femi Oguns under their Upper Room Productions shingle. Cale Boyter will serve as the film’s executive producer. Universal Pictures is distributing the film around the world with the exception of China.

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“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.

The first Pacific Rim, directed by del Toro, hit theaters in July 2013. The film starring Elba and Charlie Hunnam earned $411 million worldwide.

Boyega, who previously starring in Attack of the Block, plays Finn in the new Star Wars franchise, next starring in Star Wars: Episode VIII. His other upcoming projects include the Dave Eggers adaptation The Circle with Tom Hanks and Emma Watson, Imperial Dreams and Watership Down alongside James McAvoy and Sir Ben Kingsley. He is repped by WME, Identity Agency Group in the UK and Hansen Jacobson.

Related: Next Gen 2015: John Boyega on 'Star Wars’ Expectations, Why He Has Six Lightsabers

(Photo: Greg Allen/Invision/AP)

Watch Boyega’s lightsaber training on the set on ‘The Force Awakens:’