Oct 31, 2016 01:23 PM EDT By Addie Tee, UniversityHerald Reporter

"Pacific Rim 2" has confirmed another addition to their growing cast, and it's none other than Japanese-American actor Mackenyu. He joins "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" actor John Boyega in the follow up to Guillermo del Toro and Travis Beacham's 2013 sci-fi movie.

Makenyu himself confirmed the casting news through his personal Twitter account, where he wrote "I will be playing the role of Ryoichi in the [upcoming] film 'Pacific Rim: Maelstrom.' Very happy to be joining the team."

Details about Makenyu's character have not been revealed, but Ryoichi is billed for a supporting role.

Meanwhile, Boyega is taking the lead in "Pacific Rim 2," otherwise titled "Pacific Rim: Maelstrom," Deadline reported. The 24-year-old British actor is playing the son of Idris Elba's Stacker Pentecost.

"It is undeniable that with all his talent and natural charm, John stands out amongst today's generation of young leading men," producer Mary Parent said about Boyega's casting.

Del Toro also shared his excitement about having Boyega on board, saying "The 'Pacific Rim' universe will be reinforced with him as a leading man as it continues to be a multicultural, multi-layered world."

Meanwhile, Charlie Hunnam, the lead star of the first "Pacific Rim" film, won't be back to reprise his role as Raleigh Becket. Hunnam cited scheduling conflicts as the main reason for his failure to return to the franchise.

The 36-year-old actor revealed that an early draft of "Pacific Rim: Maelstrom" heavily involved his character, Raleigh. Unfortunately, he could not make himself available for filming. He also added that the "politics and business surrounding filmmaking" worked up a filming schedule that was impossible for him to commit to.

"There was definitely an incarnation of this sequel that involved me... there was a real agenda to get that film into production as soon as possible," Hunnam told MTV. "And I was already booked up for a significant period of the time they were going to need."

However, Hunnam still fully supports the "Pacific Rim" franchise, saying the sequel will be very exciting.

"Pacific Rim: Maelstrom" has been tentatively scheduled for a Feb. 23, 2018 release date.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit