'Meg 2: The Trench': Trailer, Release Date, Cast, and What to Expect (2024)

Often, movie lovers will look to critical reception to gauge whether a film is worth seeing. Online reviews and internet rankings are a great and efficient way to check out a little bit about a film without necessarily encountering spoilers, with most of us nowadays choosing this method to pick our next viewing experience. Often, this critical reception is a reliable unit of measurement but, sometimes, it is better to go with one's heart rather than one's head. This can certainly be applied to Jon Turteltaub's (National Treasure) 2018 creature feature The Meg. As a movie fairly disliked by critics, it stands out as an example of a film where the public does not agree, with it instantly obtaining a large fanbase upon its release. As one of the shining examples in the ever-growing sub-genre of sharksploitation movies, it has become a sort of cult classic among fans with many eagerly anticipating the release of a sequel. That sequel is Meg 2: The Trench.

Specific details regarding the sequel were kept well hidden for some time, especially when one considers that star Jason Statham (Snatch) first teased this second installment all the way back in 2018. However, some rare bits of information did slowly drip from the production tap. Now that the movie has finally been released, here is everything you need to know about Meg 2: The Trench before you watch this creature feature, including the release date, trailers, cast, and more.

Editor's Note: This article was updated on November 8, 2023.

See Also

Meg 2: The Trench | Rotten TomatoesThe Meg 2 Cast: 15 Main Actors Who Appear In the MovieMeet the megalodon: What you need to know about the shark star of 'Meg 2: The Trench'

The Meg 2: The Trench

Horror

Thriller

Action

A research team encounters multiple threats while exploring the depths of the ocean, including a malevolent mining operation.

Release Date

August 4, 2023

Director

Ben Wheatley

Cast

Jason Statham , Cliff Curtis , Skyler Samuels , Sienna Guillory

Main Genre

Action

Franchise

When and Where Was 'Meg 2: The Trench' Released?

The Meg 2 was released on August 4, 2023. With the original The Meg released in theaters back in 2018, it is no surprise to learn that this sequel also followed suit with a theatrical release. After a successful run at the Box Office the first time around, the production team was no doubt hoping for a similar outcome with ticket sales for The Meg 2. The movie was released for streaming on Max on September 29, 2023, so if you missed the theatrical run, you can watch it on the service. You can also read our article on all the ways to watch Meg 2: The Trench for more.

Watch on Max

Watch the Trailers for 'Meg 2: The Trench'

We received our first Meg 2: The Trench trailer on May 8, 2023. The trailer is nearly three minutes long and features killer sharks and underwater exploration. The beast is back for seconds, and we can't wait to see what Meg 2: The Trench cooks up. Check out the trailer below.

What Is 'Meg 2: The Trench' About?

The official plot synopsis for Meg 2: The Trench reads:

Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush this summer in “Meg 2: The Trench,” a literally larger-than-life thrill ride that supersizes the 2018 blockbuster and takes the action to higher heights and even greater depths with multiple massive Megs and so much more! Dive into uncharted waters with Jason Statham and global action icon Wu Jing as they lead a daring research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival. Pitted against colossal Megs and relentless environmental plunderers, our heroes must outrun, outsmart, and outswim their merciless predators in a pulse-pounding race against time. Immerse yourself in the most electrifying cinematic experience of the year with “Meg 2: The Trench” – where the depths of the ocean are matched only by the heights of sheer, unstoppable excitement!

With films of this genre, it is highly likely that they will try and go bigger and better in the sequel, so be prepared for a potentially greater shark than the first time or perhaps even a much more devastating monster entirely, like the Kronosaurus that appears in the sequel novel that the film is based on (The Trench by Steve Alten). Of course, the film is not just about sharks, with the original doing a great job of unpacking Jason Statham's Jonas Taylor as a character. You can expect to see more of this in the sequel, with Jonas nearly sacrificing his own life at the end of the first movie, and the ramifications of this on his family and friends likely to have ripple effects as we enter The Meg 2. There is plenty to be excited about for fans of the original, with much more aquatic action and adventure to be had for sure.

In an interview with Collider's Steve Weintraub, the film's producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura teased what fans can expect from the sequel, saying:

"It's really held its appeal, so in making this movie, one of the things we learned is you could add more comedy than we originally thought in a shark movie, in a way. So I think this movie is probably funnier. There's certainly some big laughs in it. There's more shark attacks. There's more crazy ideas that we've tested out on the audience. So the movie, it's testing well, but more importantly, the audience seems to be relating to it very similar to the first movie."

Who Is Starring in 'Meg 2: The Trench'?

Understandably, fans of the original grew to love the cast of characters and wanted them to return for the sequel. While there are returning characters, most notably Jason Statham's Jonas Taylor, Li Bingbing (Transformers: Age of Extinction) who was a particular favorite in the original as Suyin does not return for unspecified reasons. However, fans should not be too disheartened, as the cast still suggests there is plenty of fun to be had. Coming back alongside Statham are the likes of Page Kennedy (Rush Hour) as DJ, Suyin's daughter Meiying played by Shuya Sophia Cai (Mr. Corman), and Cliff Curtis (Sunshine) as Mac.

Of course, every good sequel builds upon its first cast, and The Meg 2 has also done this, adding the likes of Sergio Peris-Mencheta (Rambo: Last Blood), Sienna Guillory (Resident Evil), Skyler Samuels (American Horror Story). Another exciting addition is Chinese martial artist and action star Wu Jing (Wolf Warrior) who plays Jiuming Zhang, Suyin's brother and Meiying's uncle.

Who Is Making 'Meg 2: The Trench'?

Behind the camera, the most notable change from the first film comes at the helm, with director Jon Turteltaub being replaced by British director Ben Wheatley (Sightseers), who puts his many years of directorial experience to good use in this sequel. The sequel's screenplay has been written by the first film's writers Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, and Dean Georgaris. Randy Greenberg and Catherine Xujun Ying are the executive producers, with Belle Avery and Lorenzo di Bonaventura as producers, Kenneth Atchity and Chi-Li Wong as associate producers, Cliff Lanning as a co-producer, and Atchariya Pinitsanpirom as a line producer. The movie's cinematography is by Haris Zambarloukos, with film editing by Jonathan Amos.

When and Where Did 'Meg 2: The Trench' Film?

Well, not the bottom of the Mariana Trench for sure. Thanks to updates from Statham, we know that The Meg 2kicked off filming in January 2022 in the UK, before moving to other locations. We also know that at least part of the movie was filmed in Thailand and Hong Kong.

What Is 'Meg 2: The Trench' Rated?

While some may have been hoping that the sequel to The Meg would decide to go harder on the gore and violence and aim for an R-rated, the film follows in its predecessor's footsteps with a PG-13 rating. The film received the rating for "action/violence, some bloody images, language, and brief suggestive material." It is important to note, that perhaps the greatest shark movie ever made, Jaws, is only rated PG. As well as more recent shark movies such as The Shallows and the 47 Meters Down films are also PG-13, proving you don't need an R-rating to make a good killer shark movie.