Christoph Waltz In Talks For Alita: Battle Angel

Two-time Oscar-winner and go-to bad guy actor Christoph Waltz looks set to board what should be one of the biggest sci-fi movies of the next few years.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Waltz (last seen in this summer’s ‘Legend of Tarzan’) is in talks for a key role in ‘Alita: Battle Angel,’ the live action Manga adaptation from director Robert Rodriguez (‘Sin City,’ ‘Machete’) which has long been a pet project of producer James Cameron.

The famed ‘Avatar’ director had originally intended to direct the film, based on Yukito Kishiro’s comic book series ‘Battle Angel Alita’ – but with no less than four ‘Avatar’ sequels on the drawing board, Cameron’s directorial slate is pretty full, hence he handed the reins to Rodriguez.

Rosa Salazar (‘Maze Runner’) has been cast in the lead as Alita, an amnesiac cyborg in the far future who becomes a bounty hunter. Other actresses reported to have been in contention for the role included Maika Monroe, Bella Thorne and Zendaya.

Waltz is in line to play Doctor Dyson Ido, Alita’s mentor. (That’s right, he won’t be the villain for once.)

Originally published from 1990 to 1995, ‘Battle Angel Alita’ ran for nine volumes, and spawned an anime adaptation.

Set to start production later this year, ‘Alita: Battle Angel’ is due to hit cinemas in July 2018.

Picture Credit: WENN, Viz Media

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