Steven S. DeKnight to direct 'Pacific Rim 2'

Legendary Pictures is moving ahead with the sequel to American science fiction monster film "Pacific Rim," tapping "Spartacus" creator and Marvel's "Daredevil" showrunner Steven S. DeKnight to direct it.

The film will be DeKnight's feature directorial debut, reports variety.com.

Guillermo del Toro, who directed the original 2013 film, committed in 2014 to making "Pacific Rim 2" and will return as a producer with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Mary Parent. Jillian Share will be executive producer.

Jon Spaihts, whose credits include "Prometheus," is writing the script for "Pacific Rim 2."

"Pacific Rim" starred Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Robert Kazinsky. It's never been clear whether the actors would reprise their roles in the sequel.

"Pacific Rim" was set in the 2020s with the Earth using giant "Jaegers" piloted by humans to battle Kaijus, monsters from an interdimensional portal on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.