Charlie Hunnam revealed that his primary reason for taking the lead role in Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim was the chance to work with the acclaimed director, rather than any personal interest in the story’s giant monsters or robots. When speaking with Variety, Hunnam said,
“I thought it was a great opportunity to work with a director that I really like,”
Charlie Hunnam, Actor. He further admitted,
“I couldn’t care less about giant robots fighting giant monsters. I read the script, and I had no emotional experience with it at all.”
Charlie Hunnam, Actor.
Pacific Rim’s Plot and Box Office Performance
Released in 2013, Pacific Rim tells the story of humanity’s battle against monstrous Kaiju using towering humanoid robots called Jaegers. Hunnam plays Raleigh Becket, a former Jaeger pilot who is coaxed back into action for a final mission aimed at saving the world. The film co-starred Rinko Kikuchi, Idris Elba, Ron Perlman, and Charlie Day. On a $190 million budget, Pacific Rim earned $410 million worldwide and was successful both critically and commercially.
The Expansion of the Pacific Rim Franchise
The film’s success paved the way for a franchise that includes the 2018 sequel Pacific Rim: Uprising and an animated series, Pacific Rim: The Black, which aired on Netflix for two seasons from 2021 to 2022. More recently, a Netflix-exclusive prequel series was announced in 2023, continuing the franchise’s growth and deepening the story’s universe.
Charlie Hunnam’s Upcoming Role as Ed Gein
Moving away from giant monsters, Charlie Hunnam is set to portray real-life serial killer Ed Gein in the latest installment of Ryan Murphy’s Monster series on Netflix. Gein, infamous for inspiring horror characters like Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, will be the focus of this new show. Monster: The Ed Gein Story is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on October 3, drawing interest from fans of true crime and psychological drama.
Significance of Hunnam’s Choices and Franchise Impact
Hunnam’s candid remarks highlight the influence a director can have on an actor’s decision to join a project, even when the story itself doesn’t resonate personally. Guillermo del Toro’s reputation clearly played a crucial role in Hunnam’s involvement, contributing to the film’s authenticity and appeal. The Pacific Rim franchise’s continued expansion reflects its lasting impact on sci-fi and monster movie fans, with Netflix’s ongoing investment indicating further developments to come.
