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John Boyega’s giant robot movie sequel opens on March 23. Here are 8 quick facts to know ahead of hitting the theater.
1 The main character is Jake Pentecost (John Boyega). He is the son of Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba), who saved the world in the original Pacific Rim movie, which was released in 2013. Both actors are from the United Kingdom. Boyega has said his one regret about the film is that he didn’t get to do a scene with Elba.
2 For those who have seen the original movie, Jake’s presence may not make a lot of logical sense. In Pacific Rim, it’s explained that Stacker Pentecost adopted Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) after her parents were killed by Kaiju (the monster villains of this movie franchise). The existence of a biological son named Jake should have been mentioned at some point during this backstory.
3 Boyega was one of several producers on the film. Guillermo del Toro, who directed the first film, returned as a producer for this installment.
4Jaeger (“yay-ger”), what the hero robots of this movie franchise are called, is also a name for a United Kingdom-based clothing brand and several types of birds.
5 Scott Eastwood, the co-star of Pacific Rim Uprising is the son of, you guessed it, film legend Clint Eastwood. He made his film debut in Flag of our Fathers (2006), which was directed by his father.
6 It’s very refreshing that the Black guy doesn’t die in this film. You know what I mean; all too often in movies of this type, the brother dies. Even in the original Pacific Rim movie, Elba’s charecter sacrifices himself for the greater good. Plus, even though it was an ensemble cast, it is very clear that Boyega is the star. Nice.
7 “Kaiju” is a Japanese word that means “strange creature,” but it is often translated to mean “giant monster.” Yes, like Godzilla. When you see the film, you’ll definitely understand the name.
8 According to a blueprint released by Warner Bros. as promotional material for the original Pacific Rim, the Jaeger known as Gipsy Danger stands about 288 feet tall and weighs 7,080 tons. For easy reference, this is almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty (305 feet). But Lady Liberty only weighs 225 tons, so you’d need about 31 of her to equal the weight of one Jaeger.
This giant robot movie sequel, directed by Steven S. DeKnight, opens on March 23.
SekouWrites is an author, freelance journalist, and charity jewelry designer.