Guillermo Del Toro Reveals Director For 'Pacific Rim 2': Plans To 'Expand Big' With Steven DeKnight

Although Universal had announced that “Pacific Rim 2” would be out on hold indefinitely, director Guillermo Del Toro never faltered from his course to get the giant Jaegers back off the ground, even saying that “Game of Thrones” actress Maisie Williams must be made a pilot of her own giant alien fighting robot.

Many Pacific Rim fans thought Del Toro himself would be back in the director's seat for a possible sequel, but as it turns out, he has other plans for the movie. Although he says he will remain close to the production, he announced on Twitter that taking over the the film would be Steven S. DeKnight.

DeKnight is no stranger to the world of action and larger-than-life superhero flicks. His previous work includes “Spartacus,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” and “Smallville.” But even though his portfolio is mostly for the small screen, he has also recently been announced as part of the team to join the writers room on “Transformers.”

Besides, Del Toro also announced on Twitter that with DeKnight as director, they will be able to make “Pacific Rim 2” “expand big.”

During a press tour for the FX vampire series inspired by the novel which he co-wrote, “The Strain,” Del Toro revealed to Slashfilm that he's hoping to sign on as many of the original cast as they can get – but they had to kill off half of them.

Charlie Hunnam, who starred in the original movie as Jaeger pilot Raleigh Becket, also stars in another Del Toro film, “Crimson Peak.” In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor expressed his desire for any sequel to focus more on character and storytelling rather than on in-your-face-Jaeger-sized CGI special effects.

“Although we tried very hard on Pacific Rim to marry those two elements, I do feel like ultimately it got weighed heavier on the side of spectacle than storytelling,” he said.

“Pacific Rim 2” is expected to be released in theaters in 2017.