Get ready, guys, because the highly anticipated follow-up sequel to the ridiculously successful summer blockbuster of 2018 is on its way. It comes as no surprise, considering the massive box-office success of The Meg, which raked in an impressive $530 million worldwide.
Although the critics had mixed opinions about the shark thriller, it has become a trend in the world of big blockbuster action movies to produce sequels if they achieve significant success at the box office. In line with this trend, The Meg 2: The Trench was announced to be in development in October 2018 by executive producer Catherine Xujun Ying.
During the past four and a half years, significant developments have taken place. Here’s the scoop on what we know about The Meg 2: The Trench, including what to anticipate and the release date.
The Meg 2: The Trench cast: Will Jason Statham return for The Meg 2?
Jason Statham is confirmed to return to the sequel, reprising his role as the once-disgraced rescue diver Jonas Taylor. Not only will he be acting in the film, but he will also be involved in the overall creative process. Furthermore, it is expected that most of the key talent from the original film will be returning as well.
However, Li Bingbing, who portrayed Suyin and was highly praised in the original, will not be returning for unspecified reasons. Despite this, there is still excitement to be had as other beloved cast members are set to return. Page Kennedy, known for his role in Rush Hour, will reprise his character DJ, while Shuya Sophia Cai will return as Meiying, Suyin’s daughter. Additionally, Cliff Curtis will come back as Mac. We can hope for further announcements regarding the return of other characters in the near future.
Like any successful sequel, The Meg 2 has expanded its cast with notable additions. Joining the film are Sergio Peris-Mencheta, known for his role in Rambo: Last Blood, Sienna Guillory from the Resident Evil series, and Skyler Samuels from American Horror Story. Additionally, the Chinese martial artist and action star Wu Jing, famous for his work in Wolf Warrior, will be joining the ensemble in an undisclosed role. The majority of these new cast members are currently assigned unnamed characters, contributing to the intriguing level of mystery surrounding the film.
There is a notable change in the directorial position for the sequel, as British director Ben Wheatley takes over from Jon Turteltaub. Wheatley’s extensive experience as a director is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the film. The screenplay for the sequel has been crafted by the same writers who worked on the first film, namely Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, and Dean Georgaris.
The Meg 2: The Trench plot: What will The Meg 2 be about?
The release of an official synopsis confirms director Ben Wheatley’s previous hint in April 2021 that the sequel might feature more giant sharks.
The synopsis reads:
“Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush this summer in Meg 2: The Trench, a literally larger-than-life thrill ride that supersizes the 2018 blockbuster and takes the action to higher heights and even greater depths with multiple massive Megs and so much more!”
“Dive into uncharted waters with Jason Statham and global action icon Wu Jing as they lead a daring research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival.”
The upcoming film may draw elements from Steve Alten’s novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror, which inspired the first movie. Additionally, the sequel called The Trench could also provide source material for the sequel movie. It is worth noting that the original film did not faithfully adapt the book, as the novel featured a pregnant megalodon.
In the book sequel, Jonas assumes the responsibility of caring for the offspring of the shark, which has since grown to a massive size. This leads to a new confrontation between humans and the giant shark, as Jonas seeks the assistance of an eccentric billionaire.
When will The Meg 2 be out in cinemas?
If there are no delays, Meg 2: The Trench will be released in cinemas on August 4, 2023, following a five-year gap since the first movie. Filming took place from February to May 2022, and unless Warner Bros reschedules, audiences can expect the return of giant sharks as planned in August.
