Back in 2013, the Guillermo Del Toro-directed "Pacific Rim" starring Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba took to the big screen to tell the story of Kaijus, the alien monster race that emerged from a interdimensional portal beneath the sea and threatened to destroy humanity. The film was set in 2020, when brothers Raleigh (Hunnam) and Yancy Becket (Diego Klattenhoff) pilot the Gipsy Danger Jaegers to defend the world from the Kaijus attack. While the film earned a modest amount locally, it went on to be a massive success worldwide, pushing Legendary Films to create a sequel, "Pacific Rim 2," subtitled "Uprising" and set for a February 28, 2018 release.
While that's still a long way to go, there has now been a first look at the new Gipsy Avenger in the upcoming "Uprising"-subtitled sequel.
Gipsy Avenger displayed at Tamashii Nations event
According to Screen Rant, the first look at the new Gipsy Avenger took place at the Tamashii Nations event at the Vanderbilt Hall in New York City. The display at the event showcased the mecha that is set to appear in next year's "Pacific Rim 2." The new Gipsy Avenger is a Mark VI Jaeger that features an Elbow Rocket 2.0, Chain Sword 2.0, and Airborne Launch System, all of which would be hopefully showcased when the film debuts next year.
Soul of Chogokin Gypsy Danger. High-end Pacific Rim figures. At last. #tamashii_nyc #PacificRimUprising pic.twitter.com/MknmphdwAl
— Bubblegum Crasis (@crasis) April 29, 2017
Looks like Pacific Rim is getting the #tamashii_nyc treatment with a Gipsy Avenger figure. pic.twitter.com/ZZElG3PjGg
— Luke Brown (@MLukeBrown) April 29, 2017
Gypsy Avenger - Mark VI #Jaeger. #PacificRim #PacificRimUprising pic.twitter.com/2Pv3fzMHPa
— GMAN (@GMANonScified) April 29, 2017
'Pacific Rim: Uprising' will showcase new characters
Instead of picking up where the first film left off, "Pacific Rim 2" is set to skip a generation and tell the story of John Boyega's Jake Penetecost, who is the son of Ildris Elba's character in the first movie, Stacker Pentecost.
He will be joined by Scott Eastwood's Nate Lambert, a characters whose backstory has not yet been established. Back in February, the actor was spotted filming a scene for the film, in which he was wearing a Jaeger suit, confirming speculation that he might co-pilot the new Gipsy Avenger in the upcoming film.
Guillermo del Toro stepped down as director for sequel
The upcoming "Pacific Rim 2" will be directed by Steven S. DeKnight, whose credits include Starz' "Spartacus" series. He's also worked on "Smallville," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and "Angel." Despite co-writing the film, Guillermo del Toro chose not to direct the sequel because the timing wasn't right.
At the time, Legendary, the studio behind the film, was going to be sold to a Chinese company, and thus filming was set to be delayed. Del Toro refused to delay his projects and went ahead to shoot the film along with Steven DeKnight as the director. Collider reported earlier this month that the sequel has already wrapped and is now in its post-production stages. "Pacific Rim: Uprising," which is set to feature the new Gipsy Avenger, arrives on February 28, 2018.
