John Boyega to Star in ‘Pacific Rim’ Sequel

Photo from Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens

John Boyega is joining another franchise.

The Star Wars: The Force Awakens star will take the lead in the sequel to 2013’s Pacific Rim. He will portray the son of Stacker Pentecost, played by Idris Elba in the first film. It is unknown if Elba will be in the film.

“I am very proud and happy to welcome John into a fantastic sandbox,” Pacific Rim co-creator Guillermo Del Toro said in a statement. “The Pacific Rim universe will be reinforced with him as a leading man as it continues to be a multicultural, multi-layered world. ‘The World saving the world’ was our goal and I couldn’t think of a better man for the job.”

Del Toro, who directed and co-wrote the first film, will only serve as a producer for the sequel. Steven S. DeKnight is set to direct.

Boyega revealed on Instagram that his company UpperRoom Productions will produce the film along with Legendary Pictures:

I’ll be taking on the Pacific Rim franchise! I’m excited to be working with Legendary pictures and Steven S.Deknight. My company UpperRoom Productions founded by myself & @MrFemiOguns, will co-produce #PacificRim2 alongside @Legendary For me, this collaboration couldn’t be a better way to get UpperRoom started. It brings an invigorating feeling to know that I get to participate in the telling of a remarkable story from more than one angle. Big love to all X

A photo posted by BOYEGA (@jboyega_) on Jun 6, 2016 at 10:29am PDT

Boyega is currently busy filming Star Wars Episode VIII. He can next be seen in The Circle alongside Tom Hanks and Emma Watson.