As a Latina movie enthusiast who grew up dreaming of seeing more representation on screen, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of an Alita: Battle Angel sequel. Having seen Rosa Salazar rise to stardom through her powerful performances in shows like Brand New Cherry Flavor and Captain America: Brave New World, I firmly believe that a return for a sequel would only solidify her status as a leading lady in Hollywood.
When I entered the theater for Robert Rodriguez’s movie “Alita: Battle Angel,” I didn’t realize that I was about to become deeply engrossed in the cinematic universe. Although the upcoming movies of 2025 don’t seem to offer a sequel, I remain among those who are optimistically awaiting a revisit to Iron City after five years as an enthusiast.
Reflecting on this film, particularly in light of Hispanic Heritage Month, I’ve discovered additional arguments as to why Alita: Fallen Angel deserves continuation. Primarily, a sequel would significantly boost Hispanic presence in cinema.
Alita: Battle Angel Unintentionally Became A Cult Favorite Hispanic-Led Franchise
As a passionate enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge the significance of diversity and inclusion in shaping our pop culture landscape. Just recently, conversations about the lack of Hispanic representation in the storied universe of “Star Trek” have sparked once more, leaving me astonished that it took me so long to address this issue. However, I must say, the cinematic marvel, “Alita: Battle Angel,” stands as a powerful testament to the deep-rooted influence of Latino culture within a contemporary blockbuster sensation!
Indeed, supporters advocating for an Alita sequel are primarily driven by their desire to witness a series deserving of further development, rising from the embers. This alone makes a convincing argument for additional installments based on Yukito Kishiro’s manga Gunnm. However, it’s important to note that this franchise, originally conceived by 20th Century Fox, never overstated its cultural impact as a key factor.
In this version of the saga, the director Robert Rodriguez ensures that every touch is neither overlooked nor concealed, making it a point to celebrate his work.
Robert Rodriguez’s Trademark Latino Pride Radiates Throughout Alita: Battle Angel
Robert Rodriguez, a director known for seamlessly incorporating Latino heritage into his stories, manages to make this element truly shine within his projects. A compelling example of this is Rodriguez’s choice to set his story in Panama City instead of the conventional Kansas City backdrop from the manga. It’s evident that Rodriguez’s Mexican ancestry greatly influenced the overall experience when it comes to the “Spy Kids” series.
Everything about it – from the varied casting to the Aztec symbols noticeable on Zapan’s body (played by Ed Skrein) – shows Robert Rodriguez’s unique influence. Just as there’s no mistaking the creator who added a tutorial for Alita’s favorite chocolate recipe in the home release, this director, famous for films like Machete and the Mexico Trilogy, certainly knows how to express his Latin heritage flamboyantly.
An Alita Sequel Would Continue To Elevate Rosa Salazar’s Star Power
Here’s some Alita: Battle Angel trivia you might not know: actor Rosa Salazar actually beat out a crop of candidates that included Maika Monroe, Zendaya, and Bella Thorne for the film’s lead role. While there would have been plenty of potential with any of those choices in the lead, I can’t imagine anyone other than Ms. Salazar playing the character.
In the realm of successful franchises such as Alita, there’s a star player who stands out, and that’s none other than Rosa Salazar. Since day one, she has acknowledged this fact. During an interview with Remezcla in 2019, a publication focusing on Latino culture, Salazar spoke about her director’s commitment to promoting Latin talent, emphasizing a significant piece of data:
He was leading young women who resembled me. Working with him was awe-inspiring because he boosted my confidence just as he had done for countless others. He truly listens. Robert has spent much of his career uplifting Latinas, which is desperately needed. We, Latinos, represent a quarter of the moviegoers, so it’s crucial for us to see our representation on screen.
It’s likely that the percentage of Latino audience in theaters has increased significantly, mirroring the growth in Salazar’s acting career as a leading lady. Over the past five years, she’s taken on diverse roles ranging from the supernatural Netflix series “Brand New Cherry Flavor” to joining the cast of “Captain America: Brave New World.” Currently on the upswing, another appearance in a sequel could solidify her status as a Hollywood star, given her potential for success as a franchise lead and her ownership of a series.
More Hispanic Talent Would Undoubtedly Be Involved With Alita Sequels
As a gamer, I’m not the only one with Hispanic roots who left an impact in “Alita: Battle Angel.” The talented cast boasts veterans like Michelle Rodriguez and rising stars such as Keean Johnson. Moreover, Eiza Gonzalez delivered an exceptional performance that ranks among her best roles to date, adding weight to the significance of this topic for the future. If there’s a sequel, it would undoubtedly showcase even more Hispanic talent!
As a devoted fan, I can hardly imagine that with Motorball and our battle against Edward Norton’s Nova teetering on the edge, there wouldn’t be a spot for some of Robert Rodriguez’s talented troupe to join in. With Danny Trejo even expressing surprise at not being cast in Alita, it feels like the perfect opportunity to rectify that oversight and bring more familiar faces into the mix for another movie.
In addition, given Robert Rodriguez’s reputation as the director of “Sin City,” it’s likely he’d attract other Latino actors for future projects. This could involve bringing back familiar faces such as Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, or responding to John Leguizamo’s plea for more Latin characters in films. There’s a strong chance that this will happen soon. After all, dedicated fans, including myself and the followers of the Alita Army, are still captivated by this science fiction story that ignited our imagination not long ago.
Before considering the movie’s role as a symbol of Hispanic representation hadn’t crossed my mind yet, I would have continued advocating for a sequel solely because I adored it so much. Now, with even greater enthusiasm, I feel compelled to make this happen, as it would not only amplify diversity in Hollywood, but also reinforce the importance of diverse storytelling, particularly those centered around Hispanic themes.
Notably, with Alita fans having waited five years for this development, it’s clear that this battle isn’t close to being settled given the lengthy timelines other sequels based on legacies have taken. A nod of appreciation goes out to both the Tron and Beetlejuice fanbases, who have endured similar waits in their own right.
The essential idea persists: if you’re among those eager for more action from the movie Alita: Battle Angel, don’t hesitate in the face of ambiguity. For over a long while, Rosa Salazar, Robert Rodriguez, James Cameron, and even the late Jon Landau have kept the fire burning for this project; therefore, it seems reasonable to keep pressing forward with our efforts.
If you’re eager to relive the thrill or discover why it’s so highly regarded, now’s your chance! Kickstart Hispanic Heritage Month by diving into an action-packed spectacle. You can watch this widely appreciated series right now, on its new platform – Hulu. Enjoy with a Hulu subscription!
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2024-09-20 01:07