Remember that rumored Pacific Rim - Godzilla crossover? Turns out it’s no longer happening.
Despite the tentative promise made by Pacific Rim Uprising’s director Steven S. DeKnight back in October, producer Cale Boyter confirmed with Cinemablend on Thursday that there is no chance of that happening. While Boyter acknowledged it would be “cool,” there are no “plans to merge.”
“I might have something up my sleeve that will surprise you,” Boyter said, “that I think you guys will love, that i think is better than the obvious approach.”
I enjoyed Pacific Rim as a sort of one-time novel experience, but have very little interest in a sequel, a position I’ve maintained more vehemently after viewing the first trailer for Uprising. Any sense of grit has seemed to depart with Guillermo Del Toro, the visionary director of the first film. Boyega, notwithstanding, Uprising looks like a 10th rate paint-by-numbers schlockfest. The quality of the film is yet to be discovered, but I’m certain a crossover is not what this aspiring franchise needs.
At any rate, Legendary Pictures is already developing its own series of Monsterverse crossover films. The only two entries released thus far, 2014’s Godzilla, and 2017’s Kong, were both blockbuster successes and received generally positive reviews from critics. I’m not quite sold on that venture either, but even a bitter, disillusioned cynic like myself isn’t deaf to the badassery that is a King Kong vs. Godzilla smash up in the 21st century,
It warms my disenchanted heart to hear news of a crossover “not” happening. Neither franchise needs it and I doubt fans actually want it. I hope Pacific Rim Uprising can recapture the self-aware nonsense joy ride of the first one. I have my reservations, but I’m not resigned to its suckage. Be sure to check back here for our review.
Pacific Rim Uprising hits theatres March 23, 2018.
