James Cameron’s $405 Million Sci-Fi Hit Left Fans Hanging — The Alita Mystery Continues

It’s been six years since Alita: Battle Angel hit theaters, but fans are still waiting for the sequel that never came. The 2019 sci-fi action epic, directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron, became a global hit with over $405 million at the box office. Yet, despite its success and a massive fanbase, Alita: Battle Angel 2 remains trapped in development limbo.

The original film ended with a huge tease — Edward Norton appeared in a surprise cameo as the mysterious villain Nova, setting up what was clearly meant to be a bigger story. But years later, that sequel still hasn’t materialized.

Edward Norton’s Secret Role Was Meant for the Sequel

In Alita: Battle Angel, the main threats were Mahershala Ali’s Vector and Jackie Earle Haley’s monstrous Grewishka. But behind them was a bigger mastermind — Nova — a powerful scientist who could control others by possessing their bodies.

For most of the movie, Nova’s presence was seen through other characters, but in the final scene, audiences finally saw his true face. When he removed his signature glasses, it was none other than Edward Norton — uncredited, but instantly recognizable.

That reveal wasn’t just a cool Easter egg. It was a setup. Norton’s Nova was clearly intended to play a major role in the sequel, watching Alita from above as she raised her sword to the skies of Zalem.

Director Robert Rodriguez even confirmed back in 2019 that Norton’s cameo was meant to tease the next chapter.

Familiar Faces Were Waiting for a Bigger Comeback

It wasn’t just Norton. Michelle Rodriguez appeared briefly in flashbacks as Alita’s former mentor, and Jai Courtney showed up as a motorball champion — both likely meant for larger roles in Alita: Battle Angel 2.

The sequel would’ve explored Alita’s origins, her connection to the mysterious city of Zalem, and the real power behind Nova. Sadly, fans never got that continuation.

What Happened to Alita: Battle Angel 2?

After the movie’s release, both James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez were vocal about wanting to make a sequel. But then Disney bought Fox, and plans for Alita 2 fell into uncertainty. The pandemic slowed things down even more.

In 2022, Rodriguez and Cameron promised fans they’d made a “blood oath” to bring Alita back. A year later, Cameron hinted that he was working on ideas for a new Alita movie while also handling his massive Avatar franchise.

But by 2025, updates were still vague. Rodriguez recently said, “We want to do another one,” while Rosa Salazar, who plays Alita, told Collider, “It still might happen.”

So for now, it’s all hope and no confirmation.

Will the Sequel Ever Happen?

There’s no doubt the cast and creators are still passionate about continuing the story. Cameron could be jotting down ideas behind the scenes, but with his focus on Avatar, progress has been slow.

Even so, the fan support for Alita: Battle Angel hasn’t faded. The movie holds a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, proving it’s aged better than critics first thought. Its combination of heart, action, and stunning visuals has kept the fandom alive — and loud.

And there’s one big advantage: time. Because so much of the film relies on CGI, aging isn’t an issue for the cast. That means the world of Alita can return years later without skipping a beat — just like Tron: Legacy did decades after the original.

So while Alita: Battle Angel 2 isn’t official yet, the story of the cyborg warrior still has plenty of life left — and fans aren’t ready to let her rest just yet.