Meg 2: The Trench (2023)
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A group of scientists must survive a high-stakes battle against prehistoric Megalodons and a dangerous mining operation in the Mariana Trench.
The story
Five years after the events of the first film, Jonas Taylor is involved in fighting environmental crimes while helping Mana One explore the Mariana Trench, where the Megalodon had been found. Alongside Jiuming Zhang, Jonas leads a routine submersible exploration to the Trench. However, their mission is jeopardized when they are pursued by a rogue Megalodon named Haiqi. As they descend deeper, the team encounters an illegal oceanic mining operation. A catastrophic explosion caused by the mining operation creates a rupture in the Trench, grounding their ships and forcing the crew into a desperate struggle for survival against both the treacherous environment and the prehistoric predators lurking within.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Five years after the first film, Jonas Taylor works with Jiuming Zhang to explore the Mariana Trench. They are joined by a trained female Megalodon named Haiqi. During a routine exploration, they are pursued by Haiqi, who has escaped captivity. The team encounters two larger male Megalodons and eventually stumbles upon an illegal mining operation run by the mercenary Montes, who is working for the wealthy Hilary Driscoll. An explosion caused by the mining operation ruptures the Trench, grounding the ships and allowing various creatures, including the three Megalodons, Snappers, and a giant octopus, to escape to the surface. After a sabotage attempt by a traitor named Jess, the survivors must navigate the surface and a nearby resort, Fun Island. A chaotic battle ensues where the characters must fight off the predatory sea creatures and the mercenaries. Ultimately, Jonas manages to defeat the alpha Megalodon, and the group survives, though they realize Haiqi is pregnant.
- Original title
- Shark 2
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 116
- Production countries
- China; United States
- Original languages
- English; Chinese
- Directors
- Ben Wheatley
- Writers
- Jon Hoeber · screenplay; Erich Hoeber · screenplay; Dean Georgaris · screenplay; Dean Georgaris · story; Jon Hoeber · story; Erich Hoeber · story
- Cast and characters
- Jason Statham · Jonas Taylor; Wu Jing · Jiuming Zhang; Sophia Cai · Meiying; Cliff Curtis · Mac; Page Kennedy · DJ; Sergio Peris-Mencheta · Montes; Skyler Samuels · Jess; Melissanthi Mahut · Rigas; Whoopie Van Raam · Curtis; Kiran Sonia Sawar · Sal; Felix Mayr · Lance; Sienna Guillory · Hilary Driscoll
- Genres
- science fiction; action; horror
- Themes
- survival; environmental crime
- Tone and mood
- action; dark
- Premise and plot tags
- monster; underwater; sequel
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Trench by Steve Alten
- Franchise connections
- The Meg
- Reception
- The film received negative reviews but was a box office success.
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 72% · scale: percentage
- Awards and nominations
- Worst Picture · Golden Raspberry Awards · Nominated; Worst Actor · Golden Raspberry Awards · Nominated; Worst Director · Golden Raspberry Awards · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was titled Shark 2 in some territories.; The production included filming at Paradise Beach in Phuket, Thailand.; The film's script was confirmed complete in September 2020.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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