'Pacific Rim 2' release date and updates: Chinese superstar Jing Tian cast in the movie

The sequel to Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim" is officially in the works and casting news has been popping up here and there. Most recently, the cast added Chinese actress Jing Tian in an unspecified role.

Reports say that the 28-year-old actress is virtually unknown to U.S. audiences but she has made a name for herself in her homeland, China. For the past 8 years, she has starred in numerous movies and TV shows. She also has some Hollywood movies incoming like "Kong: Skull Island" and "The Great Wall."

Variety reports that the movie has also casted pop singer Cailee Spaeny in a lead female role. Some speculate that Spaeny and Tian will be playing Jaeger pilots. Other cast members reportedly joining the movie are "Suicide Squad" actor Scott Eastwood, and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" star John Boyega.

Reports are saying that Boyega's character is the son of Idris Elba's Stacker Pentecoat, the leader of the Jaeger program back in the first "Pacific Rim." The movie will most likely see him following in his father's footsteps as one of the elite Jaeger pilots tasked to protect the world from the giant Kaiju.

This time around, the movie will be directed by Steven S. DeKnight. Some fans may recognize him as the former showrunner of Marvel's Netflix series "Daredevil." The director of the first movie, Guillermo del Toro, will be taking the backseat as the movie's producer.

Rumors are saying that "Pacific Rim 2" will be subtitled "Maelstrom." Though no official plot has been revealed for the movie, some are left guessing as to what could possibly happen in the sequel. The first movie has the monsters coming in from a teleportation-capable rift in the middle of the ocean; by the end, the humans were able to close it. Will the sequel have the Kaiju coming down from space?

"Pacific Rim 2" hits theaters Feb. 23, 2018.