Alita: Battle Angel
In 2003, James Cameron confirmed he would direct a film version of Yukito Kishiro's manga series Battle Angel Alita. The domain name battleangelalita.com was registered by 20th Century Fox around June 2000. Cameron stated that a script for the film was in production during an interview on the Tokudane! program on Fuji TV on the 4th of May 2003. It was originally scheduled to be his next production after the TV series Dark Angel. Later it was scheduled to be his next film after Aliens of the Deep in January 2005.
Delays began piling up as Cameron focused on Avatar and its sequels. In June 2005, The Hollywood Reporter claimed the film was being delayed while Cameron developed Project 880, which became Avatar. Entertainment Weekly ran an interview in February 2006 where Cameron said his deal with 20th Century Fox required him to produce both films. He later indicated he would work on a film titled The Dive in May 2008, delaying the project again. That July at San Diego Comic-Con, he reiterated commitment to making the film.
By December 2009, Cameron commented during an MTV News interview that a script had been completed. However, in October 2010, he confirmed his next films would be two Avatar sequels instead of Battle Angel. He stated that Battle Angel would not happen for a few years until those sequels were finished. Producer Jon Landau tried to convince Cameron to change the title from the manga to Alita: Battle Angel in February 2010. Landau revealed screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis had worked on writing the film.
In October 2015, The Hollywood Reporter reported director Robert Rodriguez was in negotiations to direct the film now titled Alita: Battle Angel. Cameron offered Rodriguez the directing job after seeing his work condensing Cameron's 186-page screenplay and 600 pages of notes into a shooting script. In April 2016, The Hollywood Reporter announced Rodriguez had been signed as director while Fox attempted to reduce the budget below $175, $200 million. Late May 2016 saw Fox schedule the film for a the 20th of July 2018 release date.
Weta Digital served as the main visual effect company for the Alita digital puppet. They redesigned their motion capture methods to capture all subtleties and complexities of Rosa Salazar's performance. The visual effects were provided by Weta Digital, DNEG, and Framestore under supervision by Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, Nick Epstein, Raymond Chen, and Nigel Denton-Howes. Mark Goerner, a digital artist who worked on the film for a year and a half, commented that pre-production work was mostly finished in October 2018.
Cameron intended to render the main character completely in CGI using technologies developed for Avatar such as the Fusion Camera System, Facial motion capture, and Simulcam. Variety reported in May 2006 that Cameron spent ten months developing technology to produce the film. In February 2019, Cameron revealed he set the floating city of Zalem in Panama City specifically because it would only work physically near the equator with a space elevator hanging from above.
As a result of this new location, Iron City was designed with Spanish signage and Latin American architecture. Salazar went through five months of exhaustive martial arts training to prepare for action sequences. She learned Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and staff work. James Cameron decided the film would pay homage to Bruce Lee seen through Alita's punching technique during a scene where she practices in front of a mirror.
An April 2016 article in The Hollywood Reporter listed Maika Monroe, Rosa Salazar, and Zendaya among final actresses considered for the role of Alita. Bella Thorne had also auditioned for the role according to Collider reporting near the end of May 2016. Salazar was chosen by late May 2016. Christoph Waltz entered negotiations to play Dr. Dyson Ido in August 2016 as the equivalent of Daisuke Ido from the original manga.
Jackie Earle Haley was cast as a cyborg villain on the 14th of September 2016. Ed Skrein was confirmed as antagonist Zapan after Variety reported he was in talks on the 21st of September 2016. Keean Johnson was cast to play Hugo, Alita's love interest, on the 30th of September 2016. The studio considered Avan Jogia, Douglas Booth, Jack Lowden, and Noah Silver before choosing Johnson for being more ethnically ambiguous.
Mahershala Ali joined the film in October 2016 for the villainous role of Vector. He revealed later that he would play two roles though did not elaborate on the second nature. Eiza González joined the film on the 5th of October 2016 while Jorge Lendeborg Jr. was announced for a role on the 7th of October 2016. Lana Condor portrayed orphaned teen Koyomi starting the 11th of October 2016. Leonard Wu became cyborg Kinuba on the 18th of October 2016.
Marko Zaror joined the cast as cyborg Ajakutty in December 2016. Jennifer Connelly entered the film in an unknown villainous role on the 7th of February 2017. Michelle Rodriguez received retroactive announcement for her role on the 22nd of February 2017 after shooting completed.
In the year 2563, three hundred years after Earth faced devastation from war against the United Republic of Mars, scientist Dr. Dyson Ido scavenged a disembodied female cyborg with intact human brain in Iron City scrapyard. He united it with new cyborg body and named her Alita after his late daughter. Alita woke without memory and befriended Hugo who dreamed of moving to wealthy sky city Zalem. She also met Dr. Chiren, Ido's ex-wife.
Hugo introduced Alita to Motorball, a Rollerball-like sport played by cyborg gladiators. One night Alita followed Ido and they were ambushed by killer cyborgs led by Grewishka. Ido was injured while Alita instinctively fought using Panzer-Kunst, lost combat art for machine bodies. She killed two cyborgs and damaged Grewishka who retreated. Ido revealed he is Hunter-Warrior bounty hunter hired by Factory.
Alita found advanced cyborg body of Berserker shock troops enemy URM which she realized she was member of. Ido refused install Alita in it which upset her. Alita registered as Hunter-Warrior at Kansas Bar where she beat Zapan in fight triggering bar brawl until Ido arrived. Upgraded Grewishka appeared sent by Zalem overlord Nova to destroy her before Ido, Hugo, and McTeague forced retreat.
Ido apologized and transplanted Alita into Berserker body. Having fallen in love with Hugo, Alita entered Motorball tryout for prize money to send Hugo to Zalem. Hugo decided quit criminal job but Zapan killed Tanji and framed Hugo for murder. Hugo escaped calling Alita for help when Zapan mortally wounded him. Dr. Chiren saved Hugo attaching severed head to Alita's life support system.
The film grossed $405 million worldwide against production budget estimates ranging from $175, $200 million. It became Robert Rodriguez's highest-grossing film though financial outcomes varied among industry observers. Fox insiders stated break-even point around certain figures while outside publications pegged amount at $400-500 million. Some contend the film broke even by end of theatrical run while others listed losses as high as $53 million.
In United States and Canada, initial projections expected $18, 22 million opening weekend. After making $8.7 million first day including $2.4 million Wednesday night previews, five-day projections increased to $36, 40 million. It debuted to $28.5 million finishing first at box office. Opening weekend audiences consisted 60% male and 40% female with demographics including 44% White, 21% Hispanic, 15% Asian American and 14% African American.
Alita opened week early in 11 international markets where it grossed significant amounts. In China, film earned substantial sums from early midnight previews prior to release. It had China opening-day gross on the 22nd of February 2019 surpassing expectations. Chinese opening weekend gross made it Fox's biggest opening of all time in country setting new February IMAX record with 14% from 603 IMAX screens.
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Alita: Battle Angel holds approval rating based on reviews with average rating indicating mixed reception. Website critical consensus reads story struggles to keep up with special effects though fans may find themselves sufficiently entertained. On Metacritic, film has weighted average score of 53 out of 100 based on 49 critics indicating mixed or average reviews.
Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave film average grade A- on A+ to F scale while those at PostTrak gave overall positive score of 78% and 59% definite recommend. Michael Nordine of IndieWire gave B+ saying film is Rodriguez best since Frank Miller graphic novel adaptation living up to potential while leaving wanting more. Emily Yoshida of New York magazine found it charming praising Salazar performance noting big eyes as windows to soul making ungainly lurching cyborg work despite other flaws.
Kishiro praised movie claiming greatest in world stating every scene special with no unneeded ones. He added core manga part brilliantly passed to film including characters emotion and raison d'être perfectly reflected. Despite mixed critical response, film garnered cult following years after release. It was submitted for Best Visual Effects category at 92nd Academy Awards but failed get shortlisted.
James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez announced plans for Alita: Battle Angel 2 on the 6th of February 2019. Casting Edward Norton in non-speaking role as Nova intended setup for sequel. Uncredited cameos by Michelle Rodriguez and Jai Courtney meant larger roles in future installment. In April 2020, Christoph Waltz stated he heard no discussions about potential sequel thinking possibility unlikely following Disney acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
Robert Rodriguez said January 2021 hoping sequel would be made later claiming he would try pitching if Book of Boba Fett series succeeded knocking people socks off. December 2022 saw Rodriguez and Cameron take virtual blood oath make sequel. April 2023 producer Jon Landau confirmed sequel active development with Rodriguez and Rosa Salazar returning as director and star respectively.
In July same year James Cameron reiterated working more than one sequel. November 2025 Cameron stated Rodriguez and he working script together committed to making it. September 2020 social media campaign took place fans petitioning Cinemark re-release film before end year gauge public interest potential sequel. October 7 James Cameron confirmed film returning select theaters October 30 voicing support #AlitaArmy movement.
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Common questions
Who directed the 2019 film Alita: Battle Angel?
Robert Rodriguez directed the 2019 film Alita: Battle Angel. James Cameron originally planned to direct but later passed the role to Rodriguez after seeing his work condensing the screenplay.
When was the script for Alita: Battle Angel completed by James Cameron?
James Cameron stated that a script had been completed by December 2009 during an MTV News interview. He confirmed in October 2010 that he would focus on Avatar sequels instead of producing the film immediately.
What year did Robert Rodriguez sign as director for Alita: Battle Angel?
The Hollywood Reporter announced in April 2016 that Robert Rodriguez had been signed as director. Fox attempted to reduce the budget below $175 million or $200 million while scheduling the release for the 20th of July 2018.
Which city serves as the setting for the floating city Zalem in Alita: Battle Angel?
James Cameron set the floating city of Zalem in Panama City specifically because it would only work physically near the equator with a space elevator hanging from above. Iron City features Spanish signage and Latin American architecture as a result of this location choice.
Who played the main character Alita in the 2019 film?
Rosa Salazar was chosen to play Alita by late May 2016 after auditioning against other actresses like Maika Monroe and Zendaya. She underwent five months of martial arts training including Eagle Claw Kung Fu and Muay Thai to prepare for action sequences.