James Cameron spent years trying to get his theatrical adaptation of the Battle Angel Alita manga off the ground, and now it's finally happening, albeit with Robert Rodriguez in the director's chair instead. More than a year after the Alita: Battle Angel cast was assembled, and with seven months to go until it finally hits theaters, we finally have our first look at how this sci-fi world is being brought to life on the silver screen. Take a look at the first official Alita: Battle Angel trailer below.
While the Alita: Battle Angel trailer offers a sprinkling of action, its primary purposes is to introduce newcomers to this futuristic environment. Just like the original Alita, Rose Salaza's iteration of the character is a cyborg who is discovered by Dr. Dyson Ido, who reassembles her. Hence the mechanical limbs and why are eyes are a little too large. From there, she sets out to learn about her new life, which will lead to her crossing paths with Hugo and falling in love with him. But danger lurks around every corner in this city, including Zapan, who looks super creepy with his human face plastered onto the proudly-displayed mechanical body. Fortunately for Alita, she can hold her own against this antagonist. Throw in Motorball, the most popular sport in the city, and Alita will be keeping plenty busy dealing with the criminal underworld. As a teaser trailer, this first look at Alita: Battle Angel does a satisfiable job of cluing moviegoers on what to expect without spoiling any important plot twists; as any good teaser should do.
Along with Rosa Salazar, Alita: Battle Angel's main cast includes Christoph Waltz as Dr. Dyson Ido, Keean Johnson as Hugo, Ed Skrein as Zapan, Michelle Rodriguez as Gelda, Jennifer Connelly as Chiren, Lana Condor as Koyomi, Jackie Earle Haley as one of the villains, and Mahershala Ali pulling double duty as Vector and a yet-to-be-revealed character. As one of the blockbusters being released later in summer 2018, its only major opening weekend competition will be Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. However, with Mission: Impossible 6 arriving a week later, Alita: Battle Angel will have to make a good first impression its first weekend to ensure that more folks head to the theater to check it out in the remaining summer days. While James Cameron didn't end up directing Alita: Battle Angel, he's still credited as a co-writer on the movie with Laeta Kalogridis, and he was also involved as one of its executive producers.
Alita: Battle Angel opens in theaters on July 20, 2018. As for what other movies will be released next year, look through our 2018 premiere guide for that information.
