“Pacific Rim 2,” starring John Boyega of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” fame, has gotten a new release date. The sequel hits theaters on Feb. 23, 2018; it’s the first film slotted for that date.

The movie is the follow-up to 2013’s sci-fi actioner, which grossed more than $410 million at the worldwide box office on a $190 million budget. Steven S. DeKnight (“Daredevil”) will direct with Thomas Tull, Guillermo del Toro and Mary Parent returning to produce. Boyega and his manager Femi Oguns will also produce.

Boyega will play the son of Idris Elba’s character from the original film. The first “Pacific Rim,” directed by del Toro, also starred Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Robert Kazinsky.

“Pacific Rim” was set in the near future with Earth at war with the Kaiju, monsters that emerged from an interdimensional portal at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

Boyega is currently shooting “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” in which he reprises his role as stormtrooper Finn.

The Legendary Pictures film will be distributed by Universal Pictures around the world, with the exception of China.