With the long-mooted Pacific Rim sequel now known as Pacific Rim: Maelstrom, the film has suffered a blow with the news that Charlie Hunnam won’t be returning for this follow-up.

Hunnam, who played Raleigh Becket in the original movie, revealed to Yahoo that he won’t be back for Maelstrom due to his busy schedule. The actor confirmed that he’d had to drop out of the film at an early stage, although he enthused, “I’m very excited about it. I’m glad they’re making it.”

Whilst Hunnam won’t be a part of the Pacific Rim sequel, we’ve already seen Scott Eastwood and John Boyega confirmed for the film, with The Force Awakens’ Boyega playing the son of Idris Elba’s Marshall Stacker Pentecost.

To be directed by Steven S. DeKnight, Pacific Rim: Maelstrom is currently set for a February 23rd, 2018 release, with production expected to start at the turn of the year.