Universal Pictures has removed “Pacific Rim 2” from the release calendar, but the studio insists that it is committed to making a sequel to the monsters versus robots film.
In a statement, Universal and Legendary Entertainment, the film’s primary financial backer, says that it is delaying the film’s production and release indefinitely, but wants to use the extra time to ensure that the follow-up is “the vanguard, fully-immersive experience that the franchise deserves.”
Reports broke earlier this month that the film had been scrapped, but while hawking his upcoming film “Crimson Peak,” director Guillermo del Toro has hit back, claiming he is working on the script. The first film was originally released under Legendary’s distribution agreement with Warner Bros. It was a box office disappointment in the U.S., but a hit overseas, pushing ticket receipts to $411 million. That would have been a respectable result had the film not cost $109 million. A sequel may still be justified, but the film won’t be hitting theaters on Aug. 4, 2017, as planned. A new date has yet to be named.
In addition, Universal said it is moving “Pitch Perfect 3” from July 21, 2017, to Aug. 4, 2017. The a cappella comedy has the date to itself. Its old launching pad was getting crowded, with Luc Besson’s “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” as well as new films from Christopher Nolan and Fox’s animation division all slated to debut on that same date.
