Pacific Rim Uprising director Steven S. DeKnight offers more details on the seven (Update: we've added info on the Obsidian Fury) new Jaegers fans will see in the sequel to Guillermo del Toro's original sci-fi epic. While appearing (in a formal military costume, mind you, saluting the audience) at the Madison Square Gardens theater for the Pacific Rim Uprising New York Comic Con panel, the writer-director couldn't hide his enthusiasm for what's new in the followup and how much he appreciate the work del Toro put into launching this franchise - one he hopes can continue in a big way.
First-look images and some interview snippets from earlier this week revealed the names and some basic details of four of the Jaeger mechs constructed in the 10 years since the first Pacific Rim film, and now we know there are two more - one of them arguably the most unique addition to the lore.
Related: Charlie Hunnam Reveals Why He Won't Appear in Pacific Rim: Uprising
The Kaiju are much more lethal and intelligent in the sequel, and so the Jaegers - now a function of a global unified fighting force and not country-based, have substantially "better upgrades" to defend humanity against the next apocalypse. Here are the details we know so far on all of the Pacific Rim Uprising Jaegers revealed so far:
1. Gipsy Avenger
Embracing the iconic and familiar design to the main Jaeger of Pacific Rim 1, the Gipsy Avenger is the successor to Gipsy Danger. This Jaeger still operates on a two-pilot drift system but the cockpit tech has changed significant with operator feet no longer locked into place, and holographic displays that mirror the action and weapons on the pilot. This new way to visualize the combat from pilot to mech is demonstrated with a variety of weapons and Jaegers in the Pacific Rim Uprising trailer unveiled during NYCC.
The Gipsy Avenger has a new weapon called the Gravity Sling which allows it to lift up buildings and cars and launch them at Kaiju enemies. This Jaeger is the most challenging to operate but the strongest.
"Gipsy Avenger honors the heroic legacy of her namesake as the flagship leader of the Mark VI fleet. More than just a Jaeger, she is a symbol of hope to millions."
2. Bracer Phoenix
The oldest design of the five main Jaegers in Pacific Rim Uprising (they're all Mark VI units and the Bracer Phoenix is a Mark V), the Bracer Phoenix is the real "brute force" of the fleet and can hold its own with its special ability: This three-pilot rig can allow one pilot to drop down to the Bracer Phoenix's chest area to operate the devastating pair of Vortex Cannons.
"A Mark V brute that can still run with the VI's, Bracer Phoenix shoots from the chest, with a centrifugal vortex cannon that is as spectacular as it is deadly."
3. Guardian Bravo
The Guardian Bravo is another brute force jaeger who has a really cool weapon "Graphine Arc Whip" allowing it to specialize in ranged combat.
"Designed for combat at range, Guardian Bravo wields the Elec-16 Arc Whip: a proto-metallic successor to the chainsword, and brings a new sophistication to the chainsword's whiplash move."
4. Titan Redeemer
The Titan Redeemer is easily recognizable thanks to the "ball of death" attached to the end of its arm.
"Built for brute force and armed with a seismic morningstar, Titan Redeemer is the walking wrecking ball of the new fleet."
5. Saber Athena
Saber Athena, orange in color, is the most advanced jaeger in the fleet, swift but experimental. It has plasma swords and requires a mastery in martial arts to pilot.
"The sleekest and most elegant Jaeger ever created, Saber Athena is the fastest in the fleet, wielding twin blades in hyper-acrobatic combat."
6. Scrapper
As a little twist, there's also a little Jaeger called Scrapper. In the future there's a lot of scavengers stealing materials to build their own jaegers out of the wrecked husks of old Jaegers and ruins. This plays into the theme that anyone, no matter your background or who you are, can be hero.
"It's the human inside the jaeger that's super. It's you times a thousand." - Steven S. DeKnight
7. Obsidian Fury
Obsidian Fury is the very first drone prototype created by Newton Geiszler, under the influence of the Precursors. Obsidian Fury represents the blueprint of the Jaeger-Kaiju hybrid Drones and was used by Newton as the standard model to mass produce other drones with the approval of Liwen Shao, who pioneered the technology as an alternative to pilot-controlled Jaegers constructed by the Pan Pacific Defense Corps.
Of course, given that half its brain is controlled by a Kaiju, it goes AWOL and attacks a human city. The Gypsy Avenger must then track it to its origins and best it in battle in order to acquire its plasma infused chainsaws as weapon upgrades.
PACIFIC RIM UPRISING In Theaters March 23, 2018
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The globe-spanning conflict between otherworldly monsters of mass destruction and the human-piloted super-machines built to vanquish them was only a prelude to the all-out assault on humanity in Pacific Rim Uprising.
John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) stars as the rebellious Jake Pentecost, a once-promising Jaeger pilot whose legendary father gave his life to secure humanity's victory against the monstrous œKaiju. Jake has since abandoned his training only to become caught up in a criminal underworld. But when an even more unstoppable threat is unleashed to tear through our cities and bring the world to its knees, he is given one last chance to live up to his father's legacy by his estranged sister, Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi)”who is leading a brave new generation of pilots that have grown up in the shadow of war. As they seek justice for the fallen, their only hope is to unite together in a global uprising against the forces of extinction.
Jake is joined by gifted rival pilot Lambert (The Fate of the Furious' Scott Eastwood) and 15-year-old Jaeger hacker Amara (newcomer Cailee Spaeny), as the heroes of the PPDC become the only family he has left. Rising up to become the most powerful defense force to ever walk the earth, they will set course for a spectacular all-new adventure on a towering scale.
Pacific Rim Uprising is directed by Steven S. DeKnight (Netflix's Daredevil, STARZ's Spartacus) and also stars Jing Tian, Burn Gorman, Adria Arjona and Charlie Day.
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- Genre: 3D Epic Adventure
- Cast: John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Jing Tian, Cailee Spaeny, Rinko Kikuchi, Burn Gorman, Adria Arjona and Charlie Day
- Directed by: Steven S. DeKnight
- Screenplay by: Emily Carmichael & Kira Snyder and Steven S. DeKnight and T.S. Nowlin
- Story by: Steven S. DeKnight and T.S. Nowlin
- Based on the Characters Created by: Travis Beacham
- Produced by: Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni, Cale Boyter, Guillermo del Toro, John Boyega, Femi Oguns
- Executive Producer: Eric McLeod
