When we last wrote about this movie, it was intended to be in theaters by now, but has since been pushed back for a December release, and then pushed back again for a February release… at this point we’re just hoping it finally gets a theatrical run. For those unfamiliar, “Battle Angel Alita”, known in Japan as Gunnm (translates to “gun dream”), is a manga series created by Yukito Kishiro in 1990 and originally published in Shueisha’s Business Jump magazine. For almost three decades, James Cameron has been talking about how he wanted to make a live-action version of the popular Manga tale. Now, we’re finally getting ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, and the execution is very unusual. The lead character is a cyborg, and there are other cyborgs in the film, and while there are some pretty big name actors playing key roles, the cyborgs are being done with CGI – Alita herself is 100% CGI, though voiced by Rosa Salazar. Robert Rodriguez is directing, with Cameron serving as producer and co-writer. The cast also includes Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Jackie Earle Haley, and Keean Johnson. I’m not sure how to feel about this, and I have no doubt that much like GHOST IN THE SHELL, there will be complaints that none of the lead characters are Japanese actors… in fact there doesn’t appear to be any Japanese actors in the principal cast, which seems like an obvious misstep. No offense to Rosa Salazar, but considering she’s more heard than seen, why not cast THAT character with an actress from Japan? Oh well, tell us your thoughts in the comments.
From visionary filmmakers James Cameron (AVATAR) and Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY), comes ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, an epic adventure of hope and empowerment. When Alita (Rosa Salazar) awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo (Keean Johnson) offers instead to help trigger her memories. But it is only when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after Alita that she discovers a clue to her past – she has unique fighting abilities that those in power will stop at nothing to control. If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family and the world she’s grown to love.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
