The popular Kaiju action franchise Pacific Rim is coming back to the small screen in a brand-new live-action prequel series from Legendary Pictures. Debuting with the eponymous 2013 film, the franchise is set in a future where the governments of the world must dispatch attack robots in order to fight giant monsters that arrive through a portal at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. With its mix of state-of-the-art CGI animation and classic Kaiju action, Pacific Rim was a fresh but familiar action hit that spawned a feature sequel and an anime on Netflix.

Though the franchise has been dormant for a few years, it’s clear that Pacific Rim has the potential to become the next extended universe that rivals the MCU or Star Wars. The sequel film, Pacific Rim Uprising was a critical and commercial flop, but Legendary Pictures isn’t ready to discard such a valuable property. Perhaps hoping to replicate the success of their MonsterVerse franchise, Legendary has inked a new deal with Eric Heisserer which will bring the series back to the small screen and potentially open the door for its return to the big screen in the near future as well.

The Pacific Rim TV Show Is Confirmed

Legendary Announced Development In 2024

Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi in Jaegers in Pacific Rim (2013)

Two years after Pacific Rim: The Black debuted its final episode on Netflix in 2022, Legendary Pictures has announced a live-action Pacific Rim prequel series. Though the project is still in the very early stages of development, it comes as the result of a first-look deal the company signed with Eric Heisserer who will deliver several future projects at Legendary. Heisserer is an accomplished screenwriter and producer with franchise films like 2010’s A Nightmare on Elm Street under his belt as well as original works like 2016’s award-winning sci-fi film, Arrival.

As it stands now, little is known about the project, and it’s unclear how far into the process the Pacific Rim show has progressed. Legendary Television president Jason Clodfelter spoke highly of Heisserer, praising his impressive filmography and expressing his optimism for the franchise’s future.

Read Clodfelter’s comments below:

Eric is a multitalented, prolific creator whose track record of critical and commercial successes speaks for itself. We are thrilled to launch our partnership with Eric, Chronology, and Carmen, with a new entry in the epic, globally popular ‘Pacific Rim’ universe. We are certain their vision will make for an enthralling expansion to Legendary’s beloved franchise.

Can Pacific Rim 3 Still Happen?

A Threequel Is Still In High Demand

A kaiju attacking the Sydney Opera House as people look on in Pacific Rim

Since the upcoming series will be a prequel story, it doesn’t run the risk of making a third film irrelevent, and can inspire more curiosity if it introduces new story ideas.

Ever since the twist ending of Pacific Rim Uprising, demand has been high for Pacific Rim 3. Unfortunately, the economic realities of Uprising‘s failure made a threequel unfeasible for the better part of five years. However, the recently announced Pacific Rim prequel series doesn’t eliminate the chance of a third film, and it actually could go a long way to help get the third film off the ground. Since the upcoming series will be a prequel story, it doesn’t run the risk of making a third film irrelevent, and can inspire more curiosity if it introduces new story ideas.

Movies like Pacific Rim are huge investments and the risk of commercial failure is high at the volatile box offices of the 2020s. On the other hand, a TV show is still costly, but is less of a risk, because streaming content can grow in popularity over time instead of relying on a singular theatrical run.

What Is The Pacific Rim TV Show About?

A Prequel Story Is Expected

A composite image of Jon Boyega smiling in front of two Jaeger robots from Pacific Rim Uprising Adria Arjona in military clothing looking upward in Pacific Rim Uprising Jing Tian standing in a dark command center in Pacific Rim: Uprising Leatherback looking at Jaeger pilots in Pacific Rim Charlie Hunnam as Raleigh folding his arm with Rinko Kikuchi's Mako behind him in Pacific Rim A composite image of Jon Boyega smiling in front of two Jaeger robots from Pacific Rim Uprising Adria Arjona in military clothing looking upward in Pacific Rim Uprising Jing Tian standing in a dark command center in Pacific Rim: Uprising Leatherback looking at Jaeger pilots in Pacific Rim Charlie Hunnam as Raleigh folding his arm with Rinko Kikuchi's Mako behind him in Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim Franchise Entry
Release Year(s)
Rotten Tomatoes Score

Pacific Rim
2013
72%

Pacific Rim Uprising
2018
42%

Pacific Rim: The Black
2021-2022
71%

Though the details remain unknown, the Pacific Rim TV series is supposed to be a prequel to the movie franchise. This opens the door to all kinds of possibilities, and it isn’t clear when the prequel will take place in the extensive timeline. It could go back to the very beginning with the Precursors building the portal at the bottom of the Pacific, or it could go back to when Newt and Jaeger first tried their failed drone plan that was explained in Pacific Rim: Uprising. Regardless of the specifics, the Pacific Rim prequel series has a universe of possibilities to explore.