Star Wars' John Boyega to lead Pacific Rim 2

Star Wars: The Force Awakens' John Boyega is continuing his domination of Hollywood blockbusters, signing on to play the son of Idris Elba in Pacific Rim 2.

According to Deadline, Boyega will play the son of Idris Elba's character, Stacker Pentecost, from the first film. Elba has not confirmed or denied if he will be returning for the sequel, which will be directed by television producer and showrunner Steven S. DeKnight (Smallville, Spartacus).

Guillermo del Toro, who wrote and directed the first film, said that he could think of no one better than Boyega to star in the movie and that his casting was instrumental to keeping the themes of the first film alive.

"The Pacific Rim universe will be reinforced with him as a leading man as it continues to be a multicultural, multi-layered world," del Toro said. "‘The World saving the world' was our goal and I couldn't think of a better man for the job."

Boyega is currently filming the eighth Star Wars film, being directed by Rian Johnson (Looper), with production for Pacific Rim 2 set to start later this year.