“Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials” star Rosa Salazar has landed the lead in James Cameron’s adaptation of “Battle Angel Alita.”
Salazar will portray a 26th century cyborg who’s rescued from a scrapyard and put back together. Her character Alita, who only remembers her training in a deadly martial art, becomes a hunter-warrior who tracks down vicious criminals.
Robert Rodriguez is directing the film. His credits include “El Mariachi,” “Desperado,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Sin City” and the “Spy Kids” films.
Cameron and Landau, who will produce for Fox under their Lightstorm Entertainment banner, are also currently in pre-production on four “Avatar” sequels.
“Alita: Battle Angel” is expected to have a budget between $175 million and $200 million. Salazar is the first cast member to be annouced.
In addition to “The Scorch Trials,” Salazar starred opposite Shailene Woodley in “Insurgent” and will appear in Dax Shepard’s “Chips.” She’s repped by Paradigm and Nelson Davis.
The casting of Salazar was first reported by Collider.
