(Updated 07/25/2023)
To fight the largest shark ever to exist, you need a powerful weapon, or at least an intensely capable ally. Something like a nuclear sub would be good, or a craft loaded with underwater lasers… it's hard to say. There are a lot of tech options. Or you could go with Jason Statham.
In THE MEG, released in 2018, Statham starred as a grizzled rescue diver who was willing to punch a megalodon in the face — that megalodon being the aforementioned largest shark to exist. Turns out there was more than one meg. That helps set up an over-the-top sequel, MEG 2: THE TRENCH, which reunites Statham and his monstrous enemy — and a whole new set of monsters is along for the new cruise.
When Does Meg 2: The Trench Come Out?
Warner Bros. will release MEG 2: THE TRENCH exclusively in movie theatres on August 4.
Watch the Glorious Trailer for Meg 2: The Trench
First: Using Heart's "Barracuda" — with one of the best chunky classic rock riffs ever recorded — for a trailer like this is such a good idea. Furthermore, this look at MEG 2 suggests that everyone involved knows exactly what kind of movie this is supposed to be. Namely, a fun and not-even-vaguely-realistic dive into old-school summer fun.
Meg 2 Is Based on Steve Alten's Novel
Like THE MEG, this sequel is based on a book by novelist Steve Alten. The book, published in 1999, is called "The Trench," and it's the second of Alten's eight Meg books. We won't recap the plot of the book here because we don't know how much of the movie's story and script — written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber — is directly based on the book.
But the opening sequence of the trailer above seems a lot like the opening of Alten's first novel in the series, "Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror." So it's possible that the movie draws on parts of the first novel not covered in the original movie as well as elements of the second.
The Cast of Meg 2
Jason Statham and his monstrous digital co-stars anchor MEG 2 but the cast features other standout actors. Wu Jing, the actor, filmmaker and martial artist whose popularity in Asia is staggeringly huge, plays a key role.
Also along for the ride are Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Skyler Samuels, Cliff Curtis, and Sienna Guillory.
The Filmmaker Behind Meg 2
One unexpected pleasure with MEG 2 is that it comes from someone we never expected to see making a big sequel. That's Ben Wheatley, best known for art-house genre movies like A FIELD IN ENGLAND, HIGH RISE, and the deeply freaky KILL LIST. Wheatley is a great director but his interests have skewed far more towards the weird than to blockbuster-type movies.
Which probably makes him the ideal person to direct MEG 2. The trailer suggests someone who had a great time bringing the movie to life, perhaps precisely because it's the sort of movie he doesn't usually make. Wheatley's own movies show that he's got a lifetime of love for genre movies, and we hope that he poured it all into this one.
MEG 2: THE TRENCH opens on August 4.
All images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.