'Alita: Battle Angel 2' release date: James Cameron's 'Avatar' films could push sequel in the next 7 to 8 years

The success of “Alita: Battle Angel’s” production quality and storyline should not come as a surprise considering that renowned filmmaker James Cameron was very attached to the making of the movie. But now that he is also working on four upcoming “Avatar” movies, does that mean there would be an extremely long hiatus before the release of “Alita: Battle Angel 2”?

‘Alita: Battle Angel 2’ release date, production updates

Over 120,000 fans have signed a petition for the making of “Alita: Battle Angel 2.” However, producers and companies that distributed the first movie have yet to order a sequel.

The confirmation of “Alita: Battle Angel 2” is not the only thing that should worry fans. While Cameron did not direct the first movie, he worked on it as a producer along with Jon Landau. And in an interview with MTV News in 2010, Landau suggested that it was not an option to simultaneously develop or produce “Alita: Battle Angel” and “Avatar 2.”

Note that the live-action filming for “Avatar 2” and “Avatar 3” has only started last spring. And unlike “Alita: Battle Angel 2,” Disney has already ordered “Avatar 4” and “Avatar 5.” The entire “Avatar” series is already plotted with release dates from 2021 through 2027, suggesting that production timetables for the fourth and fifth titles have already been set as well.

All this information seems to be suggesting one thing. While the making of “Alita: Battle Angel 2” is not completely out of the table yet, it might not be released within the next seven to eight years.

‘Alita: Battle Angel 2’ plot: What to expect

The impeccable production quality of the first movie is one of the main reasons why fans who have seen are demanding a sequel. While the first movie’s plot was resolved, it certainly ended with a hint that Alita (Salazar) has, at least, one more fight to settle that could be the focus of “Alita: Battle Angel 2.”

Cameron previously confirmed he is open to expanding the Alita universe to a second movie. But given that it is a new title in a movie industry filled with huge and well-established franchises, producers opted not to explicitly announce hard plans about “Alita: Battle Angel 2” just yet. “Well, we obviously have a plan for that. But it's cheeky to set up a sequel before you're proven,” Cameron told Digital Spy.