[dropcap size=small]I[/dropcap]f there was one word to describe visionary director Guillermo del Toro, it would be “ambitious” — sometimes to a fault. Perhaps a product of his own over-zealousness, the director is no stranger to announcing projects, then dropping out of, cancelling, or delaying the projects he got fans so riled up about in the first place. But like teasing a dog with the promise of a juicy steak, the public still salivates for each morsel del Toro dangles above.
The latest bit of news that has fans in a frenzy is the announcement that del Toro has plans for a Pacific Rim 3, despite Pacific Rim 2 having not even begun pre-production. The wildly popular (and financially lucrative) blockbuster Pacific Rim has the early formations of a sequel with del Toro once again at the helm. According to the director, a first draft of the screenplay for Pacific Rim 2 has been completed, and is currently being re-worked before pre-production in August or September of 2015. He anticipates principal photography beginning in November or December for the projected release of April 7, 2017.
A Pacific Rim animated series is also in the works, making the franchise bigger than the Kaiju. The animated series aims to be a long-arc storyline, and will serve as a bridge between Pacific Rim and Pacific Rim 2. In turn, Pacific Rim 2 will also attempt to lead directly into Pacific Rim 3, according to del Toro. Reportedly, Pacific Rim 2 will be a different experience than its predecessor. Del Toro elaborates:
[dropcap size=small]“[/dropcap]Some of your favorite characters come back, some others don’t because we have decided that we’re going to shoot ambitiously and say ‘Let’s hope we have three movies,’ so some characters come in at the end of the second, hoping that it will ramp up on the third one.”
While promises of a Pacific Rim 3 are exciting, it may be one of those things you don’t want to hold your breath for. Del Toro’s Hellboy series’ third installment was turned down despite the director having a clear idea of where he wanted to take that property. By the end of Hellboy 2, the interest from film studios for a third film just wasn’t there.
In true Guillermo fashion, details on the potential Pacific Rim 3 are scarce, but audiences will no doubt be waiting patiently. Very, very patiently.
I may be in the minority (as usual), but I am really looking forward to this. I thought Pac Rim was an incredible film and a lot of fun. May not be Oscar-worthy, but it was the exact film it intended to be. Fun, entertaining, and visually pleasing with loads of action and lots of Charlie Hunnam *swoon*.
I am obsessed. Loved the sh*t outta this flick.