Enter James Cameron's New Movie In This W'burg Immersive Pop-up

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN — James Cameron fans in Brooklyn excited to see his new animated fantasy movie "Alita: Battle Angel," which premiered this week, can go even a step further than seeing it in theaters.

One of three "immersive gaming experiences" around the country set up to promote the movie has landed on Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg. The pop-up experience lets guests traverse their way through Iron City, the fantasy world from the film, in a space created with help from the production designers from the movie.

"We are immersing guests in the world of a movie," one of the organizers told the local community board Tuesday. "You're walking into the movie set itself."

The experience includes interacting with the city's residents, exploring landmarks and completing puzzles and challenges with a group of six people. And now, with the vote from Community Board 1 this week, a part of the immersive game that was missing since it opened a few weeks ago will likely be added.

The organizers got the board's support for a temporary liquor license that will allow them to serve beer and wine to attendees before going into the game. The pop-up had been operating without selling alcohol since it opened on Jan. 31 because it hadn't applied in time to get the liquor license approved before the start date.

"I've told the crew in the future, start a lot earlier," said Thomas Burrows, chair of the board's State Liquor Authority review committee. "They were a little slow on the uptake but...I don't think there's going to be a problem."

The board unanimously approved the liquor license, which will let the pop-up sell beer and wine until it closes March 17. It will now go to the State Liquor Authority for final approval.

The immersive pop-up is open Thursday through Sunday, starting at 5 p.m on weekdays and 1 p.m. on weekends, the organizers said. It will close beer and wine sales at 10:30 p.m.

With groups of six traveling through the game at a time, the bar and lobby area is set up so that groups can meet before they travel into the immersive world. Drinks are not allowed into the game itself, they said.

"The core part is a game room (where) teams of six will be doing immersive events, like recognizing spells or doing listening tests," the organizer said.

The 470 Driggs Avenue space, which used to be a restaurant, will allow 48 people to file through per hour, organizers said.

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.