“Pacific Rim” director Guillermo del Toro is denying a recent report that Universal has “halted indefinitely” a sequel to the 2013 giant robots vs. giant monsters spectacular.
“We are still turning in a screenplay and a budget in three weeks,” the filmmaker told Entertainment Weekly. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s not gone. We’re still on it.”
His comment comes after the Hollywood Reporter published a claim on Wednesday that the movie that grossed just over $411 million worldwide “has been halted indefinitely and will be pushed back (if it gets made at all).”
Del Toro, who is promoting the Oct. 16 release of gothic ghost story “Crimson Peak,” believes “Pacific Rim: Maelstrom” has simply been bumped back.
“It moved further,” he said. “I may do another movie in the middle.”
The film he’s referring to may be the “really, really bizarre” black-and-white indie he announced in July. He has revealed very few details about the still project, other than saying he wants John Hurt in the lead role, and “there’s one great creature in it.”
Del Toro said he’s planning on shooting the low-budget film next February or March, as he was preparing to start pre-production on the next “Pacific Rim” movie the following August.
As of last spring, “Pacific Rim 2” was originally slated to be released in 3D on Aug. 4, 2017.