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In 'Alita: Battle Angel,' a star is born in Rosa Salazar

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Yong Chavez, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/02/20/alita.jpg"/><figcaption>Rosa Salazar as Alita in motion capture. <em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>In “Alita: Battle Angel,” Rosa Salazar not only steps into a leading lady role for the first time but she goes into it with a flying leap.<br/> <br/>In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Salazar described her initial reaction when she found out she landed the starring role.</p><p>“It’s almost like going to an awards show, like where you’re nominated for an Oscar or something. I can only assume, your whole career, you’re like, ‘Wow, an Oscar, an Oscar, an Oscar.’ By the time you get there, that line has moved in another direction. You’ve done all of the work leading up to that point and you’re ready. You’re not intimidated by it. You’re ready for it. That’s what it felt like,” she said.</p><p>The filmmakers looked far and wide to find the actress who can play a cyborg with a heart.<br/> <br/>Film director Robert Rodriguez saw something in Salazar that made him believe she is the only one who can make Alita come alive.<br/> <br/>“The confidence is a really sweet confidence. It’s not like a cockiness. It’s really inspirational to everybody around her,” said Rodriguez.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OOM_8WZQLDs?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p> <br/>Making Alita someone that audiences will root for is something that was a challenge not just for the animators and filmmakers but also for the actress.<br/> <br/>Luckily, she had a way to clearly get her character’s emotions across.<br/> <br/>“I just tell myself the story and her stories as a heartbreaking tale. I just want to be in that moment with you and then pick up what you put down and luckily I have an amazing supporting cast around me, trying to be as grounded in the moment as possible while also telling myself a story. And the story makes me cry,” she said.<br/> <br/>“Alita: Battle Angel” is now out in cinemas.</p>

<p>In “Alita: Battle Angel,” Rosa Salazar not only steps into a leading lady role for the first time but she goes into it with a flying leap.</p>

In “Alita: Battle Angel,” Rosa Salazar not only steps into a leading lady role for the first time but she goes into it with a flying leap.

In 'Alita: Battle Angel,' a star is born in Rosa Salazar

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In 'Alita: Battle Angel,' a star is born in Rosa Salazar

Yong Chavez,

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

Published February 20, 2019 11:52 AM PHT

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Updated February 20, 2019 01:00 PM PHT

Read More:

Alita Battle Angel

Rosa Salazar

Robert Rodriguez

Hollywood

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