Disney CEO wants Avatar director and writer James Cameron to helm Alita: Battle Angel 2 instead of Robert Rodriguez.
Alita: Battle Angel was one of the rare occasions that anime was adapted into a Hollywood film that actually worked. In most cases, anime film adaptations usually crash and burn. Cameron himself has made this a passion project as he has been working on making it a reality since 2000.
There was a time that Cameron was interested in directing it himself, but with all the work that he’s done making the sequels, he opted to get Spy Kids and Machete director Robert Rodriguez. Rodriguez was chosen mainly because he worked on improving and condensing Cameron’s script.
Now it seems that an Alita sequel is slowly starting its gears into development. Rodriguez, lead star Rosa Salazar, producer Jon Landau and Cameron himself have already been in discussions about getting things started. Cameron has even made a blood pact with Rodriguez to make the sequel a reality.
Unfortunately, it seems that there is a significant hurdle in actually getting it started.
Bob Iger Wants Avatar Director To Helm Alita 2
READ MORE: Robert Rodriguez Confirms Alita Battle Angel 2 Is Happening
According to a report by Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel, Bob Iger wants Alita: Battle Angel 2 to be directed by James Cameron and not Robert Rodriguez. Why Iger wants Cameron to helm the project is not clear. Considering the first film did well at the box office.
Cameron is also reported to be looking forward to working on a film adaptation of Last Train of Hiroshima written by Charles R. Pellegrino. The Titanic director has been working on making it into a movie back in 2010, the same year the book initially came out.
Last January, he told the Los Angeles Times that he wanted to start working on the adaptation in between working on Avatar 3 and Avatar 4.
The report also states that Cameron is considering Iger’s offer. Nothing final as of yet.
Credit: Disney
One possible reason why Iger wants Cameron instead of Rodriguez is that the Alita director doesn’t really have a spot-on track record. His films are generally a hit-or-miss kind of thing.
While some people love the film adaptation of Frank Miller’s comic book Sin City, some really hate his Spy Kids films. Some love his Machete films, and some hate SharkBoy and Lava Girl.
Cameron, on the other hand, has an excellent reputation. Most, if not all, films he has made have been blockbuster box office hits. His only film that failed was his first project back in 1982, titled Piranha II: The Spawning. After that, he made The Terminator (1984), and everything else is history.
James Cameron Considering Directing Alita: Battle Angel 2
Credit: 20th Century Fox
READ MORE: James Cameron Might Not Direct Avatar 4 And 5
Robert Rodriguez is also known for directing an episode of Star Wars’ The Mandalorian and three episodes of The Book of Boba Fett on Disney Plus. I suppose one of the things that stood out as Rodriguez’s style is the group of cyborgs who had speeder bikes that reminded people of Power Rangers.
Recently Rodriguez released his latest film Hypnotic, which stars Ben Affleck. The director originally conceived the story way back in 2002. The screenplay was co-written by Max Borenstein. Borenstein is known for writing the Godzilla vs Kong franchise. So, the film had a lot of expectations.
Unfortunately, the film didn’t go as expected. It’s considered the worst opening for both Rodriguez and Affleck.
Credit: Disney
Bob Iger’s stay as Disney’s CEO is not long-term. He was looking forward to his retirement. He’s trying to fix what was left behind until Disney finds a new CEO. The CEO is determined to improve the overall state of Disney, which includes getting Star Wars back into the cinema and slowing Marvel projects down.
I kind of understand why Iger wants Cameron to helm Alita: Battle Angel 2, because his name assures the film has a higher chance of being a hit, which is something Disney currently needs. I loved what Rodriguez has done with Alita, but I am not a fan of some of his films.
What do you think of Bob Iger wanting James Cameron to helm Alita: Battle Angel 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Robert Rodriguez might be a semi good filmmaker, but entrusting him with the direction of the sequel to Battle Angel Elite might not be the best choice. There are several reasons why James Cameron himself, and no one else, should take the reins of this project.
Firstly, Rodriguez’s directorial style, characterized by its emphasis on semi lame action and cheap visual effects, might not align with the intricate and nuanced storytelling that made the original Battle Angel Elite so captivating. Cameron, being the creator of the Terminator and Tru Lies movies, understands the world, the characters, and their complexities in a way that no other director possibly could. His unique vision is what brought the story to life, and entrusting the sequel to someone else might result in a loss of the essence that made the original film exceptional.
Secondly, the sequel to a film as groundbreaking as Battle Angel Elite requires a director with a proven track record of handling high-budget, complex projects. While Rodriguez has had successes in the past, taking on a project of this magnitude demands a director with unparalleled expertise and experience. James Cameron, with his extensive background in directing blockbuster hits like Titanic and Avatar, possesses the necessary skill set to do justice to the sequel.
Lastly, there’s a concern about maintaining continuity in the story and the visual elements of the film. Cameron, being intimately familiar with the world of Battle Angel Elite, is in the best position to ensure that the sequel seamlessly integrates with the original film. Handing the project to another director might lead to inconsistencies, both in terms of storytelling and visual aesthetics, potentially disappointing the fans of the first movie.
In conclusion, the sequel to Battle Angel Elite is a project that demands the touch of its original creator, James Cameron. His unique vision, storytelling prowess, and experience in handling monumental projects make him the ideal choice to helm the sequel, ensuring that the film lives up to the expectations set by its predecessor.
Robert Rodriguez might be a semi good filmmaker, but entrusting him with the direction of the sequel to Battle Angel Elite might not be the best choice. There are several reasons why James Cameron himself, and no one else, should take the reins of this project.
Firstly, Rodriguez’s directorial style, characterized by its emphasis on semi lame action and cheap visual effects, might not align with the intricate and nuanced storytelling that made the original Battle Angel Elite so captivating. Cameron, being the creator of the Terminator and True Lies movies, understands the world, the characters, and their complexities in a way that no other director possibly could. His unique vision is what brought the story to life, and entrusting the sequel to someone else might result in a loss of the essence that made the original film exceptional.
Secondly, the sequel to a film as groundbreaking as Battle Angel Elite requires a director with a proven track record of handling high-budget, complex projects. While Rodriguez has had successes in the past, taking on a project of this magnitude demands a director with unparalleled expertise and experience. James Cameron, with his extensive background in directing blockbuster hits like Titanic and Avatar, possesses the necessary skill set to do justice to the sequel.
Lastly, there’s a concern about maintaining continuity in the story and the visual elements of the film. Cameron, being intimately familiar with the world of Battle Angel Elite, is in the best position to ensure that the sequel seamlessly integrates with the original film. Handing the project to another director might lead to inconsistencies, both in terms of storytelling and visual aesthetics, potentially disappointing the fans of the first movie.
In conclusion, the sequel to Battle Angel Elite is a project that demands the touch of its original creator, James Cameron. His unique vision, storytelling prowess, and experience in handling monumental projects make him the ideal choice to helm the sequel, ensuring that the film lives up to the expectations set by its predecessor.