"Pacific Rim: Maelstrom," the sequel to the epic 2013 giant robots vs. monsters feature "Pacific Rim," has added yet another Chinese actor to its cast. Zhang Jin, who has starred in films like "The Grandmaster," "Ip Man 3," "SPL 2," "The Man from Macau" and "Kill Zone 2," has joined the project in an undisclosed role.
Jin, who played Zhang Ziyi's stunt double in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," will star alongside fellow Chinese actors including Wesley Wong Lily Ji, Chen Citong, Lan Yingying and Qian Yong Chen, according to Comicbook. Xiao Yang and Korean actor Kim Jeo will also be making a cameo appearance in the film.
The film also stars "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" actor John Boyega as the main protagonist in addition to Jing Tiang, Scott Eastwood and Cailee Spaeny. "Spartacus" creator Steven S. DeKnight is directing the film based on a world created by Guillermo del Toro and Travis Beacham, both of whom worked on the 2013 original.
"We are very excited that we have such amazing Chinese talent joining us on 'Pacific Rim' our new story has a strong connection to China and this great Chinese cast will help us bring it to life," Dr. Jack Gao, an exec with Beijing Wanda Cultural Industry Group, which acquired Legendary Entertainment earlier this year, said in a statement obtained by Variety.
"Pacific Rim" was set in the near future, when Earth is attacked by monsters that emerged from an interdimensional portal located beneath the Pacific Ocean. The film, which starred Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba among others, was a blockbuster hit and raked in more than $410 million worldwide.
"Pacific Rim: Maelstrom's" plot details have been kept under wraps but it has been confirmed that Boyega will play the role of Elba's character from the original. The film has already started production in Australia and is slated to hit theaters on Feb. 23, 2018.
