Alita: Battle Angel is one of the most talked about films this year. Avatar director James Cameron and Laeta Kalogridis wrote its script while Robert Rodriguez directed it. With its undeniable success worldwide, some fans are wondering if a sequel to the cyberpunk action film, which is based on the Gunnm manga series, would be possible. So, is Alita: Battle Angel 2 happening?
Though nothing has been finalized yet, James Cameron and Laeta Kalogridis have, already, confirmed that Alita: Battle Angel 2 is very much likely to happen. As a matter of fact, the duo revealed, on Feb. 6, 2019, that they intended to cast Edward Norton in a non-speaking role as Nova to be a setup for multiple sequels.
Robert added that Nova is a character they wanted to work on the yet-to-be-confirmed Alita: Battle Angel 2. The writer even stated that another character, named Clive Lee, would be introduced in the theoretical sequel. "I figured we should save him for a sequel," he divulged. In other words, aside from Alita, the imminent second installment could focus on Nova and Clive Lee.
"There's like one whole document about the trilogy," Robert said when asked about the possibility of having Alita: Battle Angel 2. "Because that's just part of his process. 'Here are three movies. Just so you know what to include in the first story and whatnot,'" he went on.
Though movie critics said that the first Alita movie struggled to keep up with the special effects, it was able to rake in a total of $404.8 million worldwide. Other reports suggested that Alita: Battle Angel 2 might not happen since its predecessor film failed to break even, with some claiming $400-$500 million. In the United States and Canada, it grossed $85.7 million and $319.1 million, respectively.
Other reports claimed that Alita: Battle Angel 2 might not happen, or perhaps will be delayed, since James Cameron is, currently, busy filming the Avatar sequels. In fact, the Avatar 2 movie has been pushed back to a Dec. 17, 2021 release date from the original Dec. 18, 2020, schedule. The premiere dates of the other three sequels have been affected - Avatar 3 will be shown starting Dec. 22, 2023 while Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 are set to premiere on Dec. 19, 2025, and Dec. 17, 2027, respectively.
No other details about the rumored Alita sequel have been released as of yet. However, James Cameron said that it might have a different official title. "It's Alita, colon, Battle Angel. Because the next one will be "Alita: Fallen Angel" and then Alita... you know "Avenging Angel" and then Alita whatever. I mean, that's assuming we make some money," the 64-year-old Canadian filmmaker said. Stay tuned to Business Times for more Alita: Battle Angel 2 spoilers, predictions, theories, news, and updates!
