James Cameron’s Alita Sequel Gains Hopeful Update After 6 Years

Alita: Battle Angel lead actress Rosa Salazar recently provided an encouraging update on the long-anticipated James Cameron Alita sequel. Though the original 2019 sci-fi film, directed by Robert Rodriguez and co-written and produced by Cameron, achieved only modest box office results, strong audience appreciation has kept hopes alive for a follow-up.

Despite not being a major commercial blockbuster, the positive reaction from fans has maintained momentum for Alita: Battle Angel 2 among the creative team. Many involved have expressed their desire to continue the story, though official approval to move forward has remained elusive.

In a recent episode of the Collider Ladies Night interview series, Salazar, who portrayed the titular cyborg warrior, reiterated her ongoing hope for a sequel. She explained,

“I’m always bringing up Alita. It still might [happen].”

She also mentioned James Cameron’s involvement as a key factor for optimism, noting, “He’s got the set.”

Salazar joked about Cameron’s schedule, saying,

“We’ll have Cameron just as soon as this next Avatar…”

When prompted about wanting more sequels, she responded with enthusiasm, saying, “Me either.”

Expressing her commitment, Salazar added:

“I’m like, ‘Keep going, keep going.’ I’m one of those. I’m all the bots online doing that.” — Rosa Salazar, Actress

Her sustained interest in a sequel after six years stems from her rewarding experience working with Cameron and Rodriguez on the first film, as she passionately described:

“It’s the best. I mean, it’s just the best. You have James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez, who are friends, who are making this thing together. All the love is there. You have an amazing script. You have an amazing graphics team like Wētā… You have thousands of people working on this thing, and it all comes down to this moment between two… It’s just so amazing. I love a collaborative process, and to be able to do it on that scale?” — Rosa Salazar, Actress

Rosa Salazar Took Initiative by Writing Her Own Sequel Treatment

Before starring as Alita, Salazar had supporting roles in Insurgent (2015) and two Maze Runner sequels, but Battle Angel marked her first lead performance. She admitted to feeling initial pressure about carrying the film, describing the experience as

“Validating for about three seconds, and then you’re like, ‘I’m so nervous.’”

Still, early on during auditions, Salazar felt a connection with the character and a clear alignment with director Robert Rodriguez’s vision. She recalled a pivotal audition moment:

“From the first moment I read the script, I’m like, ‘I can do this. I can bring this home for you.’ … I think it was just that last final audition with Robert, where I had the time and the space and the attention to really say, like, ‘This is who I think she is.’ And I think he said, ‘Okay. She has a clear vision of who this person is, and it jives with mine.’ So from that moment on, it was smooth sailing.” — Rosa Salazar, Actress

Despite the slow progress toward a sequel, Salazar’s deep connection to Alita’s story motivated her to create her own vision for a follow-up. Shortly after the film’s release, she penned a treatment for Alita 2 and presented it to James Cameron, who responded enthusiastically. Salazar remembered:

“I wrote this treatment for Alita 2 right after the film, and I sent it to James Cameron. He was like, ‘This is so cool!’ Like, he’s James Cameron. It probably won’t be the one that we shoot, but I’m such an avid fan of those books that I just I couldn’t help myself.” — Rosa Salazar, Actress

James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez Are Committed to Making Alita 2

In December 2022, James Cameron disclosed that he and Robert Rodriguez had made a blood oath to create the sequel to Alita: Battle Angel, indicating strong mutual commitment from the directors. The primary delays appear to stem from studio decisions, as the substantial costs involved and the moderate box office of the first film may be causing hesitation among executives.

Additionally, reassembling the original cast could prove challenging, especially with key actors like Mahershala Ali and Edward Norton now in high demand. Ali portrayed the villain Vector, and Norton’s character Nova was teased for a larger role, adding uncertainty about their availability.

Meanwhile, the dedicated fan base known as the Alita Army remains active online, and the film’s reputation has only grown over time. Boasting a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Alita: Battle Angel continues to enjoy favor among viewers. With Salazar, Cameron, and Rodriguez all still pushing for a sequel, the prospects for a James Cameron Alita sequel remain hopeful, despite the ongoing obstacles.