Okay ... this had already propgated so widely by the time I first spotted it that I was going to let it slide, but the more I think about it the more I think it bears comment ...
James Cameron's adapting Battle Angel Alita. Not exactly news as it's been rumored for ages and a lot of people look at Dark Angel as being an early attempt to do just that, but where things get interesting is on the tech side ...
First, he's shotting the film in 3D, using the camera system he developed for his Titanic documentary. This could be interesting, but it seems pretty gimmicky ... the only other major film maker using 3D right now is Robert Rodriguez and his pair of 3D flicks - his upcoming Lava Boy will use the same techniques used for the Spy Kids flick - are both intended for children, something that will definitely not be the case with this one. Are adults gonna bite on technology they remember from shoddy b-flicks in their youth being used in serious sci-fi? Only if it's damn impressive.
Second, it's a live action film but the lead character will be all CGI. Err, James ... you did see the Hulk, right? Read the press? People aren't so big on CG characters taking over the screen. The only one to gain any wide acceptance so far has been Gollum, who was firmly in a secondary role ...
Now whatever else people may think about Canada's resident filmic megalomaniac you can't deny that he's got some serious technical skills. If anybody can pull this off it's most likely James Cameron, but still ... the man doesn't make cheap films and this could prove to be one seriously high priced flop.