Acclaimed director James Cameron appears to be exuding confidence in the return of the well-received film Alita: Battle Angel. The reputed filmmaker has even hinted at an upcoming shooting location, fueling speculations of a sequel. The movie, initially unveiled in 2019, was a collaborative creation by Cameron and Laeta Kalogridis, alongside director Robert Rodriguez. Produced by both Cameron and Jon Landau, it was rooted in the renowned manga series, Gunnm. The stop-motion masterpiece tells the gripping tale of Alita (played by Rosa Salazar), a cyborg on a quest to unravel her destiny following her awakening in an unfamiliar body, void of past memories.
Alita: Battle Angel made a significant impact on the box office, raking in over $405 million and becoming Rodriguez’s highest-grossing film. Further testament to its popularity is an impressive audience score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting the extent to which moviegoers relished the Alita experience. Fans have eagerly anticipated a sequel in the years following its release. Rodriguez hinted at ongoing discussions to resurrect the movie with Cameron and Landau in May. Recently, in a conversation with Forbes about his impending property sale, Cameron casually disclosed his upcoming Texas project – Alita: Battle Angel 2, thereby seemingly substantiating that a sequel is in the works.
“In context of Avatar, my work locations are Wellington and Los Angeles. For the forthcoming Alita: Battle Angel films, I’ll be working in Austin, rendering our current property redundant,” Cameron elaborated on his decision to sell the ranch.
Cameron’s plural use of “films” suggests the possibility of multiple sequels to Alita: Battle Angel. However, Cameron didn’t provide any further details in the interview, sparking curiosity about whether Alita: Battle Angel will transform into a trilogy or possibly an even more extended movie series, much like Cameron’s meticulous planning for the Avatar franchise.
Rosa Salazar’s Anticipation for the Return
Rosa Salazar’s fervor to reprise her role in Alita: Battle Angel 2 is palpable. Last year, she confessed her relentless nudging of Cameron for the sequel, stating that the producer had always been supportive. She also shared her deep-rooted love for the story, a sentiment shared with Cameron and Rodriguez.
“Our collective passion for the story is tremendous. It always lingers in our perspective,” Salazar shared with CinemaBlend. “Everything we do revolves around the question, ‘How do we revisit that world?’ … We’re striving to bring her back because we’re aware of how profoundly her story resonates with women, young girls, boys, and indeed everyone. I believe she symbolizes something that transcends the boundaries of race and gender. So we’re putting in our best effort!”
Perhaps these relentless efforts are on the verge of bearing fruit, with Cameron insinuating imminent filming in Austin. However, the green light for the sequel is yet to receive an official announcement. This scenario leaves fans in anticipation of Alita’s return to the big screen, enriching the cyborg’s intriguing tale that has captured hearts worldwide. As we await confirmation, there’s no doubt that the potential sequel – or series – will draw massive attention and fanfare, a testament to the original film’s extraordinary storytelling and memorable characters.
