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Movies & TV

05th Feb 2019

Robert Rodriguez discusses why some big budget sci-fi blockbusters just don’t work

Rory Cashin

robert rodriguez

The Sin City director also talks already wanting to come back for the sequel.

Robert Rodriguez has had a very interesting, very eclectic CV as a director.

He started off with violent action thrillers like El Mariachi and Desperado, but he’s had a hand in everything from horror (The Faculty, Planet Terror), to family-friendly movies (all four of the Spy Kids movies), to graphic novel adaptations (both of the Sin City movies).

Now he’s trying his hand to a full-on, sci-fi mega-blockbuster in the shape of Alita: Battle Angel, which comes with a very impressive cast, as well as a script co-written by James Cameron himself.

JOE chatted to the director about his new project, how he begins to tackle a movie of this size, the trappings of sci-fi in that you don’t want it to look too much like any other famous sci-fi movie, and what he would like to see for the sequels.

We also chatted about the big sci-fi blockbusters that work (Inception, Interstellar) and some that didn’t stick their landing (Jupiter Ascending, Tomorrowland), and why he thinks some work, and some didn’t.

Check out the interview in full right here:

We also had the opportunity to chat to the movie’s producer Jon Landau (who was also behind Avatar and Titanic!), as well as stars Jennifer ConnellyChristoph Waltz, Keean Johnson, and Alita herself, Rosa Salazar. All of those interviews will be available to view on JOE’s YouTube, and on The Big Reviewski!

Alita: Battle Angel is released in Irish cinemas from Wednesday 6 February.

Check out the trailer right here:

Clip via 20th Century Fox