For those eagerly awaiting the Pacific Rim sequel, we’ve some good news. Not only has the film finally been given a release date, but it look as if it could be getting another big-name addition to its cast.

You’ll remember that Pacific Rim 2 was initially announced for April 2017 before being pushed back to August 2017 before then being removed from the release calendar altogether. Well now comes word that Universal Pictures and Legendary Entertainment will be releasing the sequel on February 23rd, 2018. At present, that marks Pacific Rim 2 as the only confirmed release for that particular date, although Marvel Studios’ Black Panther will be opening a week before that on February 16th.

On to the topic of cast additions, and The Hollywood Reporter has word that Scott Eastwood is in early talks for one of the lead roles in the film. As well as being the son of that Clint fella, Eastwood is likely best known to audiences for The Longest Ride, and he’ll soon be seen in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad when that arrives in August. At present, the only confirmed cast member for Pacific Rim 2 is The Force Awakens’ John Boyega, who is playing the son of Idris Elba’s Stacker Pentecost from the first film.

This sequel will be directed by Steven S. DeKnight, who has won a whole host of favour with genre fans for his work on the fantastic Marvel’s Daredevil. The original movie’s director Guillermo del Toro will produce alongside Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni, Femi Oguns and John Boyega.

Production on Pacific Rim 2 is expected to start before the end of the year.