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SUMMARY
- Alita: Battle Angel 2 is still a possibility, as talks about a sequel have resumed and the producer is confident in its future.
- Director Robert Rodriguez and producer James Cameron are eager to continue the Alita franchise and have been engaging in discussions about the sequel.
- The potential Alita: Battle Angel 2 storyline could involve Alita seeking revenge on the villainous Nova and exploring the mysterious city of Zalem.
Alita: Battle Angel may have arrived in 2019, but there have been discussions and demand for Alita: Battle Angel 2 ever since the original's release. The 2019 movie, which was directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron, follows the titular cyborg who awakens in a dystopian world with total amnesia. She soon finds out that she has unbelievable combat prowess, and with this knowledge, sets out to seek the truth about her past. Though it wasn't a box office sensation, it has a unique aesthetic and has since found a cult following that remains ever-hungry for an Alita: Battle Angel 2.Alita: Battle Angel was planned to be the beginning of a huge new cinematic universe. Unfortunately, the movie made $404 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), which sounds impressive, but relative to its $170 million budget as well as roughly the same number for its marketing cost, Alita: Battle Angel was a failure for the studio. Because of the box office result, any previous discussions about a sequel were seemingly put on hold. However, it seems as if Alita: Battle Angel 2 is back on the table.
Alita: Battle Angel 2 Recent News
Though news has been slow concerning a sequel, the producer for Alita: Battle Angel 2 is still confident in the film's future. Besides assuring eager fans that talks are still underway for the long-awaited follow-up, producer Jon Landau also expressed his pride in the original finished produce. In an interview, Landau mentioned "I want to be able to definitely do more in that world", meaning the project is a high priority for both himself and co-producer James Cameron.
Alita: Battle Angel 2 Is Confirmed
Alita: Battle Angel 2 is confirmed, as confirmed by producer James Cameron as recently as July 2023. When asked about his upcoming projects, Cameron responded, "And on Avatar, I'm working in Wellington and Los Angeles. And on the new Alita: Battle Angel films, I'll be working in Austin." Prior to this, director Robert Rodriguez had revealed that talks were happening again in May 2023 (via Movie Web).The filmmaker explained that he has been speaking with producers Cameron and Jon Landau about Alita: Battle Angel 2, excitedly noting, "Yeah, we have been talking about it, so we would love to make one." However, it isn't clear when the sequel will arrive even if it's confirmed. Rodriguez added, "We haven't set it for sure yet... They're slammed with all the Avatar stuff, but they've definitely been engaging in it."
Alita: Battle Angel 2 Producer Comments & Production Status
While the Alita: Battle Angel 2 release date still isn't known (and likely a few years away still), there has been recent news on the Alita sequel reaffirming that it's being developed. On October 5, 2023, director Robert Rodriguez gave an update on when the sequel to Alita: Battle Angel can be expected, revealing that production on Alita 2 is likely to begin in earnest once the SAG-AFTRA strikes are resolved. Rodriguez said, "Yeah, Jim and I always talk about how we’d love to do another “Alita"...We would love to".
The SAG/AFTRA strike was resolved on November 9th, 2023.
Since the aforementioned strike ended, producer Jon Landau echoed Rodriguez's sentiment concerning Alita: Battle Angel 2, which is a good sign that things could begin happening soon. The term "talks" is a rather uncertain one, and it isn't really clear if a sequel has already begun development, or if it is merely an idea. If the movie does begin to get rolling, bigger news regarding its production will likely come sooner rather than later.
Alita: Battle Angel 2 Cast
It's impossible to say who would be a part of the Alita: Battle Angel 2 cast, but it's easy to assume that Rasa Salazar would reprise her role as Alita. Salazar has even definitively said so herself (via The Digital Fix), explaining, "I will fight to make Alita 2 happen until the end of time." Outside of Salazar, almost all the original Alita cast could return except for Mahershala Ali, who played Vector.
Edward Norton could return as the franchise villain Nova, and Christopher Waltz could return as Alita's father figure as well. Other recent Alita 2 cast comments come from Lana Condor, who plays Koyami in the original 2019 movie. The actor spoke in June 2023 about wanting to return for Alita: Battle Angel 2. Condor explained her desire to return, saying "I feel like we can explore a lot more of that world, and obviously the original IP is vast." With Alita: Battle Angel 2 confirmed following Cameron's comments, her return is very possible.
In December 2023, original actor Jeff Fahey gave an optimistic update on Alita: Battle Angel 2 when he spoke about working with director Robert Rodriquez again. "I like working with Robert Rodriguez" said Fahey, "And we'll be working together again, hopefully in the summer. Fingers crossed that we're going into Alita: Battle Angel 2". This optimistic update seems to suggest that Fahey will reprise his role as bounty hunter McTeague.