A proper adaptation ofBattle Angel Alita, the popular Japanese manga, has been on the docket for quite some time now, and for most of that time, the man in charge of the whole mishigas was to beJames Cameron. He still is the man at the head of the proposed film adaptation, but he’s now he’s set as producer and is no longer the filmmaker who will direct the movie. Instead, that pleasure will go toRobert Rodriguez, and lately, the filmmakers have been looking for just the right woman to step into the titular role. Plenty of names have been rumored - I’ve heard everyone fromKumiko the Treasure Hunter’sRinko KikuchitoDivergent’sShailene Woodleyin the build-up - but now we seem to have a solid trio of candidates, and even a possible fourth.
THRis reporting today that the shortlist forAlita: Battle Angelnow includes Disney sensationZendaya, who is also currently cast in a mysterious role inSpider-Man: Homecoming, andMaika Monroe, who broke out in indie horror gemsThe GuestandIt Followsand will next be seen inIndependence Day: Resurgence. The two young, talented woman will also be vying for the role againstRosa Salazar, who made quite the impression in last year’sThe Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, while there are reports thatBella Thornealso read for the part at some point over the last few months.
My vote would be for Salazar, if only because I’d like to see her get a bigger stage to work with her apparent talents. Monroe has the more admirable filmography, having worked with the intensely giftedAdam WingardonThe Guest, but she’s got a pretty full plate of work ahead of her in the coming years whether she gets this role or not, and the same goes for both Thorne and Zendaya. Regardless, I’m sure any of these women would do well under Rodriguez and Cameron’s guidance, and we’ll likely have a name secured by the end of May, unless things go off course again. And considering this project’s track record, that’s not, ya know, out of the realm of possibilities.
