Netflix adds James Cameron thriller as fans still call for sequel to 'underrated masterpiece' five years later

Netflix has added a new film to its already massive catalogue, and it’s a James Cameron thriller that has a huge cult following online.

The streamer has several films vying for the top spots in its charts at the moment, with Christmas fever hitting early with Meet Me Next Christmas in addition to well-received originals, such as Woman of the Hour and Don’t Move.

The difference this film has to several of the others on there though is that, five years on from its release, there are still fans calling for a sequel to it.

The film uses copious amounts of CGI (20th Century Studios)

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, it was written by James Cameron and Laeta Kalogridis.

The cyberpunk action-thriller focuses on a deactivated cyborg called Alita, played by Rose Salazar.

When she is brought back online, she is forced to try and rediscover her past as she has no memories.

Joining Salazar is an all-star cast, including Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Eiza González, and Watchmen’s Jackie Earle Haley.

The movie - called Alita: Battle Angel - was released in 2019 to mixed reviews, with a 7.3 on IMDb and 61 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite this, it quickly developed a huge cult following online, with calls coming for a sequel more or less from the moment it was released.

One 10/10 IMDb review called it an 'underrated masterpiece’ before going on to say: “Seriously, this might be the best movie of 2019. Alita is one of the most likeable protagonists I've seen in a while.

“It is outright disappointing that as of right now a sequel has either been delayed or isn't in the works.

“I guarantee if a sequel of this were to come out the box office this time would outpace the original just because of how well this release sets up the next one.”

While a recent tweet said: “I can't recommend this movie enough Alita: Battle Angel.

Alita: Battle Angel developed a cult following online (20th Century Studios)

“James Cameron, please make the sequel already! Or the prequel, just bring back my babe Alita.”

And another added: “We still need the sequel to Alita: Battle Angel...”

Alita: Battle Angel was a passion project of Cameron’s, who produced the film but was unable to direct it due to commitments to the Avatar franchise.

Is there going to be a sequel to Alita: Battle Angel?

Fans were reassured by Cameron, Rodriguez, and producer Jon Landua as recently as July of 2023 that a sequel to Alita: Battle Angel was in the works.

When asked in an interview, Landau said: “I want to be able to definitely do more in that world.”

While Rodriguez said: “Yeah, we have been talking about it, so we would love to make one.

"We haven't set it for sure yet... They're slammed with all the Avatar stuff, but they've definitely been engaging in it.”

This was seemingly reaffirmed when Cameron, while discussing his upcoming work in July 2023, said that he was working on ‘the new Alita: Battle Angel films’.

If you want to know what all the fuss is about to get this much of a furore about a sequel, you need only go as far as Netflix, where Alita: Battle Angel is streaming now.