It has been reported that the Hollywood adaptation of Alita: Battle Angel is making progress with the screen test of Maika Monroe, Zendaya and Rosa Salazar for the role of Alita.
The long-awaited adaptation of the popular manga has finally begun to move forward, after years of being in the works with James Cameron as director.
However, due to time constraints with making four Avatar sequels, Cameron has relinquished control over the project.
Progress for the project started, six months ago when he announced Robert Rodriguez as the new director for Alita: Battle Angel, though he will stay on board as an executive producer for the film.
The film is based off the manga Battle Angel Alita or better known in Japan as Gunnm by Yukito Kishiro. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic future and centres around a cyborg named Alita. She is discovered by a cybernetics doctor in a garbage heap with all her memory missing except for her martial art skills. With the aid of the doctor, she is rebuilt and becomes a bounty hunter.
Aside from the manga, a 3-part original video animation (OVA) was produced back in 1993. The Battle Angel, or Gunnm manga is still ongoing as well, with the latest series called Gunnm: Mars Chronicles.
In 2009, James Cameron explained that he was putting Alita: Battle Angel on hold for the right technology to come along so he could combine CGI and live-action in 3D. He revealed this during the production of Avatar and had confirmed, then the script and production design had already been completed for the film.
This time around, Rodriguez will benefit from the groundwork laid down by Cameron to get Alita: Battle Angel off the ground and onto the big screen.
It has been reported that Zendaya is the favourite for the role, but due her other filming obligations, they could conflict with the production. Whatever it may be a casting decision is expected to be reached within a few weeks.
For now, there is not much information on the film, but we will keep you posted on the latest updates for Alita: Battle Angel.
