If you remember back, earlier this year saw news break of a Deep Blue Sea sequel on the way. In fact, at that point, the follow-up to Renny Harlin’s 1999 genre favourite was already secretly shooting over in South Africa. Well, now we have some more solid details on the picture.

To be directed by Tales from the Hood’s Darrin Scott, it’s been confirmed by UHM that Deep Blue Sea 2 has been rated R for “creature violence and gore, and for language” and the straight-to-TV sequel will land on Syfy at a to-be-confirmed date next year. The aptly named Michael Beach will headline the cast, with Danielle Savre, Rob Mayes, Darron Meyer, Kim Syster and Nathan Lynn also on board.

As per Syfy, the early word on the film reads:

The plot kicks off with shark conservationist Dr. Misty Calhoun invited to consult on a top-secret project run by pharmaceutical billionaire Carl Durant (Beach). Calhoun is shocked to learn that the company is using the unpredictable and highly aggressive bull sharks as its test subjects. You can probably guess where this goes next, and Warner Bros. teases some “personality” from the sharks that’ll be menacing these hapless humans.

Despite being a direct-to-TV effort and happening nearly 20 years after the original film, Deep Blue Sea 2 will follow the mythology and narrative established in the first movie.

Considering we have a soft spot for any and all shark pictures here at Moonbase Alpha, this is certainly one we’re hoping can bring some bite to 2018 when it swims to our TV screens.