‘Pacific Rim 2’ Finds Writer in ‘Jurassic World’ Scribe Derek Connolly
Justin Kroll @krolljvar
MAY 12, 2016 | 11:08AM PT

Derek Connolly has been tapped to write the next installment in the “Pacific Rim” franchise for Legendary.

“Marvel’s Daredevil” showrunner Steven S. DeKnight will direct. Jon Spaihts penned a previous draft.

“Pacific Rim” starred Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Robert Kazinsky. It’s currently unclear whether the actors will reprise their roles in the sequel.

“Pacific Rim” was set in the 2020s with the Earth using giant “Jaegers” piloted by humans to battle Kaijus — monsters from an interdimensional portal on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

The film, which carried a price tag of $190 million, was released in 2013 through Warner Bros. and took in only $101 million in the United States. It performed decently at the international box office with $310 million, led by China with $114 million.

Connolly is currently penning the sequel to “Jurassic World” and is also writing “Star Wars: Episode IX.” He also penned a draft of “Kong: Skull Island” for Legendary.

He is repped by Verve. The news was first reported by the Hollywood Reporter.

EXCLUSIVE: Legendary Pictures has set Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega for the lead role for the second installment of its Pacific Rim franchise. Steven S. DeKnight is directing the film, which will begin production in the fourth quarter of this year, based on the world created by Guillermo del Toro and Travis Beacham. Boyega will play the son of the character played by Idris Elba in the del Toro-directed original film. Universal will release the film worldwide, everywhere but China. The 2013 original grossed $411 million.