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John Boyega, best known as the reformed Stormtrooper Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is heading towards another sci-fi franchise.

Boyega is heading to Pacific Rim in the sequel, Maelstrom, which will be directed by Steven S. DeKnight, replacing Guillermo Del Toro, who is staying on as producer. It has been revealed that Boyega’s character will in fact be the son of the character played by Idris Elba in the original.

del Toro had this to say about Boyega’s casting:

“I am very proud and happy to welcome John into a fantastic sandbox. The Pacific Rim universe will be reinforced with him as a leading man as it continues to be a multicultural, multi-layered world. ‘The World saving the world’ was our goal and I couldn’t think of a better man for the job.”

Boyega will be next seen in The Circle opposite Tom Hanks and Emma Watson and is currently shooting Star Wars Episode VIII.

It is unclear when Pacific Rim: Maelstrom is scheduled to begin production, but we will await the release perhaps around 2018 or 2019.

H/T: Deadline