Battle Angel 2′ Sequel Is Making “Progress” According to James Cameron

It’s been six years since Alita: Battle Angel released in theaters, and while the manga adaptation has a dedicated fanbase, it is no secret that a sequel has not been prioritized by the studio. Still, the filmmakers behind the blockbuster epic are determined to make a second film, if not a trilogy, that finishes what the first film started.

During an interview with Empire, James Cameron announced that him and director Robert Rodriguez have made progress on the long-awaited Alita: Battle Angel sequel. Cameron amusingly stated that he has a “blood oath” with Rodriguez to get the follow-up off the ground, displaying their commitment to the franchise. Additionally, it was revealed that there are plans to potentially make a third film if things go well, although Cameron and company would be more than satisfied with at least one more film.

“I appreciate the loyalty of the Alita fans. Robert Rodriguez and I have sworn a blood oath to do at least one more Alita movie. In fact, we’re thinking of an architecture that bridges to a third film, but we’ll be satisfied if we can make one more. And we’re making progress on that.”

Alita: Battle Angel is based on the classic cyberpunk manga Battle Angel Alita created by Yukito Kishiro. The original series ran from 1990 to 1995, amounting to nine volumes. The live-action film directed by Rodriguez adapts the first few volumes of the manga, so there is still plenty to cover in potential sequels. Of course, until 20th Century Studios officially announces the sequel and a release date, it seems fans will have to continue to be patient. That said, every sign thus far points to Alita: Battle Angel getting a follow-up, especially since Cameron and Rodriguez have talked about it almost non-stop since 2019.

Robert Rodriguez Still Wants To Make an ‘Alita: Battle Angel’ Sequel

20th Century Studios

In an interview from earlier this year, Alita: Battle Angel director Robert Rodriguez made it clear that a sequel was still on his mind. In fact, the large set built for the cyberpunk adaptation still exists in his studio, seemingly ready for use when the time comes. Before James Cameron’s most recent comments, Rodriguez reassured fans that Alita: Battle Angel 2 remained a real possibility back in May.

“Yeah, we want to do another one for sure. You gotta come to my studio. That whole city is still in my parking lot. 20-foot ceilings, seven streets. It’s like the largest standing set in the country, if not the world.”

Although it seems Rodriguez and Cameron will be back for an Alita: Battle Angel sequel, it is unknown who else would return. The first film starred Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Jackie Earle Haley, and Keean Johnson, among others. That said, Salazar, who plays the titular heroine, has long been ready to jump back into the role.

In 2022, Salazar revealed that she frequently speaks with Cameron and Rodriguez about revisiting Alita: Battle Angel, so much so that she joked about it becoming a “legal issue.” While it has been several years since that interview, there is no indication that Salazar feels any different today, especially as Rodriguez and Cameron continue to tease progress on the sequel.

“I harass them all the time. Like, it might become a legal issue soon. I email with James Cameron a lot. … And he’s always like, ‘I’m so down.’ Which is crazy to hear someone like James Cameron be like, ‘I’m so down!’ When we were in South by Southwest, I went over to Robert (Rodriguez)’s house and had tea, and was just talking about Alita.”