James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez Teaming For Live-Action ‘Battle Angel Alita’

The Terminator. Titanic. Avatar. From Dusk Till Dawn. Desperado. Sin City.

James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez have directed some of the signature movies of the last 25 years and become miniature filmmaking industries unto themselves. (Admittedly, Cameron has directed more of the signature movies of the last 25 years, but let’s not quibble over fine points.) And now, according to TheWrap, they’re joining forces, for a live-action adaptation of the manga series Battle Angel Alita. 

The American version has a slightly different title (Alita: Battle Angel), but here’s the plot description, via TheWrap:

Set in the 26th century, Alita: Battle Angel tells the story of Alita, an amnesiac female cyborg who is rescued from a scrapyard by a doctor.  The rebuilt Alita, remembering only her training in a deadly martial art, becomes a hunter-warrior, tracking down and eliminating vicious criminals.  Within the context of an epic action-adventure, the film will explore a young woman’s journey of self-discovery and finding love.

TheWrap also has quotes from Cameron:

Robert and I have been looking for a film to do together for years, so I was pumped when he said he wanted to do Battle Angel ... This project is near and dear to me, and there’s nobody I trust more than Robert, with his technical virtuosity and rebel style, to take over the directing reins.”

Rodriguez calls Battle Angel “an incredible rich and vibrant epic in the tradition of Jim Cameron’s spectacular, character-driven films” and said he looks forward to directing Cameron’s script and “learning the cutting edge techniques he’s pioneered.” (Cameron has wanted to make Battle Angel for years, but he’s busy making three Avatar sequels.) Now you’re going to get Battle Angel, one that’s at least consistent with Cameron’s vision for the franchise, with an able assist from Robert Rodriguez as director. It should be an interesting project.