If you were doing a fan poll for the most beloved movies of 2019, one of the leading contenders would be Alita: Battle Angel. Released a little over a year ago, the sci-fi epic earned a respectable $85 million at the domestic box office and a solid $400 million worldwide. That’s a decent return, especially for a February release.
The problem is, the movie cost upwards of $200 million after marketing. So, while it may have slightly exceeded expectations financially, did it make enough to warrant a sequel? The fans certainly think so. And they responded the only way they know how: through social media. Even one of the producers on the first film is encouraging them to speak out.
No doubt fueled by the pic’s recent release on HBO, folks took to Twitter this week to demand a sequel with the hashtag #AlitaSequel. They posted photos, memes and suggestions for future follow-ups and all in all, there were more than 20,000 tweets about the subject. Some fans even started a crowdfunding campaign a few weeks ago.
The mission ain't over! We need that #AlitaSequel Can't let Nova get away with what he did! Alita has to– pic.twitter.com/g6SUxQEGnm
— 🍊 Lou 🍫 (@LeadApprentice) February 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/EnigmaSeekerX/status/1225671430760620034
Even while I'm at work, we're pushing for the #AlitaSequel! Keep pushing, don't ever stop! It's only a matter of time until we're heard! @20thcentury @DisneyStudios @DisneyMovies pic.twitter.com/soSeTTMEkO
— Zensui | Jérôme (read & watch SoloLeveling!) (@RealZensui) February 7, 2020
Fox did say the break even point was 350M
The movie grossed 405M
Also the blurays went out of stock.
What are you talking about???— Shraid (@ShraidOfficial) February 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/UrielsMachine/status/1225651533770969088
Good to wake up to see this trending! 😳 #AlitaSequel@Rodriguez @JimCameron @Disney @DisneyMovies @20thcentury pic.twitter.com/8C0kJ3AJPR
— Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (@Yang2020_NJ) February 6, 2020
#AlitaSequel https://t.co/XnV3FHdSHq
— Neil Armstrong of Kithos ʬ⁸⁴ ⚡ (@Syynful) February 7, 2020
The #AlitaSequel banner flies in two days! If the flight is canceled due to weather or some other uncontrollable circumstance, the refunded payment will go into the charity fund that we've set up with Open Bionics. Please donate if you haven't already.https://t.co/48odMI9R73
— The #AlitaArmy 🍊🍫⚔♥ (@AlitaArmy) February 7, 2020
Bring on #AlitaSequel!!!
— Valentina S (@ValentinaSerio) February 7, 2020
@20thcentury @Disney #AlitaSequel #AlitaArmy We waited almost two decades for Alita: Battle Angel, please don’t make us wait another for the sequel!
— Corey Borealis (@TheCornHat) February 7, 2020
An amazing story that needs to be told. You managed to bring the spirit of the manga on the big screen. We want a sequel! #AlitaSequel
— SantaCrab (@Santacrab) February 7, 2020
Alita: Battle Angel is based off of a 1990 manga called Battle Angel Alita and follows a cyborg who must discover her past and fully realize what she’s capable of to protect the ones she loves. After Titanic, James Cameron had two projects he was going to consider directing: Avatar and Alita: Battle Angel. He ultimately went with the former and gave Alita to Robert Rodriguez.
Personally, I found the film to be visually stunning, but ultimately somewhat hollow due to forgettable characters and a mediocre script. And of course, they teased a sequel at the end by revealing the true mastermind of the story. But who knows if we’ll ever get to see him or Alita (played wonderfully by Rosa Salazar) again. The sci-fi film was produced by 20th Century Fox, which is now 20th Century Studios and owned by Disney. And the franchise carries a hefty price tag due to the heavy use of CGI, especially with the lead character.
Disney already has plenty of profitable franchises, too: Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and their live-action remakes. They might be able to afford taking a risk on an Alita: Battle Angel sequel then, but for $200 million? Probably not.