2013's Pacific Rim.
Pacific Rim: Maelstrom, the sequel to Guillermo del Toro's 2013 blockbuster Pacific Rim, is set to begin shooting at Sydney's Fox Studios in mid November. The production will also shoot for a short period in Queensland.
Star Wars' John Boyega stars with Suicide Squad's Scott Eastwood, while Spartacus creator Steven S. DeKnight takes over directorial duties from del Toro, who remains on board as a writer and producer.
Like the first film, Maelstrom is being made by the Wanda-owned Legendary Pictures, with Mary Parent and Thomas Tull joining del Toro as producers.
Kirsty McGregor is assisting on local casting alongside casting director Sarah Finn, whose recent credits include Gold Coast productions Thor: Ragnarok and Kong: Skull Island.
Boyega plays the son of Idris Elba's character in the original film. Returning players include Hellboy's Ron Perlman, as Hannibal Chau, and Captain Phillips' Max Martini, as dubiously accented Aussie Herc Hansen.
"This is the latest big production to be secured by the NSW Government’s new $20m Made In NSW Fund," Deputy Premier Troy Grant said.
"The production will inject more than $54 million into the NSW economy and employ around 400 local crew. The Made In NSW Fund makes NSW one of the world's most desirable filming locations."
"In recent months we've seen Jackie Chan bring Bleeding Steel here, production begin on Peter Rabbit and the announcement of the first high end Australian TV series, Wake in Fright, to be made under the fund."
Universal have Pacific Rim: Maelstrom slated for a February 23, 2018 release date.