By: Kristy Puchko

If you’re like me, you need little urging to see anything associated with Guillermo Del Toro, the visionary filmmaker behind Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy. As soon as I heard about Del Toro’s upcoming sci-fi epic Pacific Rim, I was on board on principle. Even when Del Toro is only producing pictures—say Splice or Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark for instance—the results are usually visually striking enough to be worth my time, but when he’s actually helming, audiences are assured something extraordinary, unlike they’ve ever seen before.

So honestly, I haven’t really cared that Legendary Pictures has been less than forthcoming on details about the picture’s plot aside from admitting the central conflict would be between massive monsters and humans clad in correspondingly intense robot gear. But for those of you who are craving more specifics on Del Toro’s next effort, check out the official synopsis below, courtesy of Fanboy Confidential (via /Film):

“When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes-a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)-who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.”

With early reports suggesting Tom Cruise was campaigning to for a role in Pacific Rim, it’s safe to assume Del Toro had his pick of A-listers. However, the groundbreaking director has instead pulled together rising stars and incredible character actors to create a cast that is intensely intriguing. Hunnam’s perhaps best-known as the star of the biker-centered drama series Sons of Anarchy, while Kikuchi was the voiceless but scene-stealing Bang Bang in Rian Johnson’s whimsical heist-comedy The Brothers Bloom. Other enticing cast members include Hellboy star Ron Perlman, character chameleon Clifton Collins Jr. (The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s Charlie Day, and Golden Globe-winning badass Idris Elba (Luther). Between this compelling line-up, the heady promise of serious special effects and Del Toro’s unique brand of action, Pacific Rim is poised to dominate summer 2013.

Pacific Rim will open in the U.S. on July 12th, 2013.

Source: Cinema Blend