Pacific Rim 2 finally has a release date. The sequel to Guillermo Del Toro's 2013 sci-fi action movie has been without a confirmed slot since it was pulled from schedules in September last year. But producers Legendary have now revealed that it will hit theaters on February 23, 2018.

Despite the recent hiring of director Steven S. DeKnight and star John Boyega, this is the first official confirmation from Legendary and distributors Universal that the film is still happening. A joint statement reads:

"John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) leads the cast of PACIFIC RIM 2, the follow-up to 2013's cinematic battle for global domination that took audiences to future Earth's land, skies and seas and introduced an entirely new kind of warfare. Steven S. DeKnight (Spartacus, Daredevil) directs the next chapter of the film that generated more than $400 million at the global box office, including a strong performance in China. The 3D epic adventure will be produced by returning PACIFIC RIM producers Thomas Tull, Guillermo del Toro and Mary Parent. Boyega joins the production team alongside Femi Oguns."

Although the first film was indeed a huge success in China, its domestic box office return was more disappointing, making just $101.8 million in the US.

In January, Legendary Pictures was bought by Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group, for a massive $3.5 billion. Pacific Rim opened with the sixth biggest gross ever for a Hollywood movie in China, and ultimately earned more than a third of its entire international gross there.