Thankfully, it turns out that’s not entirely true, and with NYCC underway over the weekend, Lionsgate have put out an exclusive piece of art that del Toro himself will be signing at the convention if you’re there – you can read the full press release below.
“When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes – a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi) – who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.”
Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, and Ron Perlman lead the awesome cast, with del Toro directing from a script by Travis Beacham (Clash of the Titans).
This is the first film the acclaimed director has helmed since 2008’s Hellboy II, and naturally the anticipation is incredibly high for his return.
Pacific Rim will be unleashed in 3D on 12th July, 2013 in the UK and US, in the height of the summer blockbuster season, with an IMAX release likely (but not yet announced). Whilst we eagerly await more, here’s the vintage new poster, which you can click to enlarge.
“New York, NY – October 11, 2012 – Pacific Rim will be front and center at the Legendary Entertainment booth during New York Comic-Con 2012. Director Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) will headline the activities when he signs an exclusive piece of art at the Legendary booth on Friday, October 12 at 2 pm. The art will also be unveiled at the Legendary panel on Friday, October 12 at 5:15 pm. The art was created by Spanish artist Raúl Monge (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy 2), who serves as a Concept Artist for the Pacific Rim movie.
“Raúl is one of my top concept designers. The idea with this particular piece was to emulate an old WWII propaganda poster/flyer that went along with the world we were creating,” said del Toro. “It symbolizes rationing – voluntary work force, no guts, no glory kind of heroism.”
In other Pacific Rim activities, del Toro is also announcing a Pacific Rim graphic novel that will serve as a prequel to the upcoming film. A must-read for anyone who wants to see the movie, the graphic novel will serve as a prequel, providing important details on the characters and the lead up to the story arc of the movie. Written by the film’s writer Travis Beacham (Clash of the Titans), the graphic novel is written in three distinct parts – covering the in-world history from the first attack up to just before the movie, Additionally, the Legendary booth will, once again, be home to the pilot costumes worn by Charlie Hunnam and the female Russian pilot in the film.”