With the status of the sequel to Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim officially in limbo, the rematch between humanity and the Kaiju race looks like it's on the fence between happening and not happening. Now we have official studio confirmation about the project, and it's not very confident, if you ask us.
Coming Soon broke the news in a more positive light, stating that the film was "still happening" according to the following information:
Legendary’s ‘Pacific Rim 2,’ originally scheduled for release on August 4, 2017, will be re-dated at a later time. The filmmakers, Legendary and Universal Pictures are committed to having ‘Pacific Rim 2,’ the sequel to 2013’s ‘Pacific Rim,’ which generated more $411 million at the global box office, be the vanguard, fully-immersive experience that the franchise deserves. To this end, the decision was made to delay the production and release of ‘Pacific Rim’ so that the creative team can continue in its efforts to exceed the amazing experience of the first film.
While stating that Pacific Rim 2 "will be redated at a later time" is somewhat hopeful, it's not a good sign when you consider how rigorous Hollywood scheduling can be. With del Toro's sequel dated in the August 4, 2017 release date, it was the only film opening on the release date it had chosen. While that date is still unclaimed by any other studio, Universal has already made a shuffling move in its deck and given the spot to another film. Instead of kaiju carnage, you'll be getting even more aca-antics as Pitch Perfect 3 has been re-dated for that same slot.
This action has sent out two signals: Pitch Perfect 3 has more value at Universal than Pacific Rim 2 does, and perhaps that grudge with Legendary Pictures has really gotten to the top brass. While we haven't heard any news on how far along Pitch Perfect 3's script, Pacific Rim 2 is already turning in a first draft and a budget for Guillermo Del Toro's sequel. While one would think that a film that's written and ready for re-writes / budgetary tweaking would be a better bet for a 2017 release date, even with the film's original November start date being scuppered, that apparently isn't Universal's mindset at all.
It's easy to say that Pitch Perfect 2's amazing performance this summer was the impetus for this decision, but we'd be lying if we didn't think it may be a way Universal is trying to put the screws to Legendary Pictures. With their relationship in a very questionable place at this moment in time, it's not hard to see this as a reaction to the recent wrangling with Kong: Skull Island going to Warner Bros. for a Godzilla crossover.
Also, recent reports of the studio thinking of Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak as a "problem picture" haven't helped matters either. For now, it's safe to assume two things: Pitch Perfect 3 is going to have its scriptwriter in overdrive to make that 2017 date, and Crimson Peak's performance will be a crucial moment in the Pacific Rim 2 decision making process.
Crimson Peak will hit theaters on October 16, so make sure you attend opening weekend if you want to throw your support behind Uncle Guillermo and his Kajius.
