Charlie Hunnam has made waves on the tube as bad-ass biker Jax Teller in FX’s hit series Sons of Anarchy, but at 6’1″ with golden locks it was only a matter of time before big-screen gigs came calling again. Now the British actor has landed what could be a star making role – the lead in Guillermo del Toro’s new film Pacific Rim.
Deadline reports that the film, which was announced shortly before the devastating events that occurred in Japan had a major effect on its screenplay and production plan, is back on track. Travis Beacham scripted the picture, which is set in a future where giant monsters come from the seas and threaten to destroy Earth’s cities one by one. The human race must then band together to use advanced weapons technology to thwart the creatures attacks. Legendary Pictures is spearheading the project, while Warner Bros. will distribute.
To be fair, Hunnam has had his share of film credits, from Children of Men and Cold Mountain to Green Street Hooligans and Nicholas Nickelby. He’s even got a few films set to release in the near future, including Sundance 2011 entry The Ledge and the crime thriller Blackbird. But without question, Pacific Rim would be the biggest thing he’s ever been apart of, and it could reign in a new era of celebrity for the 31 year old thesp. The studio is obviously taking a risk and banking heavily on an untried youth, but I equate its decision to go with Hunnam over an established actor to Universal’s hiring of Taylor Kitsch to top line Battleship, another big-budget tent pole with a similar premise. It certainly makes financial sense, but beyond the bottom line I think they couldn’t have picked a better guy to give a shot at the big time.
Pacific Rim will hit theaters in 2013.
Source: Deadline
