Zoe Saldaña is no stranger to iconic roles that have shaped modern science fiction and fantasy. From the blue-skinned Neytiri in Avatar to the green-skinned anti-hero Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, and the steadfast Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek, Saldaña has carved out a space for herself in the world of blockbuster franchises. Yet, despite her remarkable successes, the actress opened up at the BFI London Film Festival about her long-standing fears of being typecast in sci-fi and action roles, and how pivotal moments in her career have helped shape her journey.
Saldaña, who was present to promote her latest project Emilia Pérez, candidly reflected on her career at a special festival event. The actress delved into her early concerns about the limitations of being continuously cast in the same type of genre and character. As someone who has brought to life some of the most memorable sci-fi characters of the 21st century, Saldaña admitted that there was a time when she feared she would be boxed into the sci-fi mold. Yet, as she revealed during the discussion, her journey within the genre has been nothing short of transformative.
One of the most crucial turning points in Saldaña’s career came with her casting as Neytiri in Avatar, a role that not only catapulted her to international fame but also opened up other doors within the sci-fi universe. The actress credited director James Cameron for giving her the opportunity to embody the fierce Na’vi warrior in the 2009 film, a role that would go on to become one of the defining performances of her career.
During the BFI talk, Saldaña shared a fascinating anecdote about how her time on the Avatar set indirectly led to her casting in another major sci-fi franchise—Star Trek. While working on Avatar, director J.J. Abrams, who was casting for the 2009 reboot of Star Trek, paid a visit to Cameron’s set.
“I knew he was casting for Star Trek,” Saldaña recalled. “He and Jim were talking, and they come to set, and Jim lets him hold his little camera that he built. And I remember talking to J.J., and he’s like, ‘I’m going to call you, I really want to have a conversation with you.’ And then he walks away. And Jim comes over and goes, ‘I just booked your next job.'”
Sure enough, that next job turned out to be her role as Uhura, a character originally made famous by Nichelle Nichols in the 1960s Star Trek television series. The opportunity to step into the shoes of a legendary character from such a beloved franchise was a major moment for Saldaña, further solidifying her place within the sci-fi world.
Following her success in Avatar and Star Trek, Saldaña once again found herself drawn to the sci-fi genre when she was offered the role of Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy. However, this time, the actress hesitated. By then, she had already portrayed several otherworldly characters and feared that accepting another sci-fi role would further cement her as the “go-to” actress for the genre.
“I went into Guardians with a lot of fear of being typecast,” Saldaña admitted during the BFI discussion. “But reading that script, there was just something about the anti-hero, the a-hole that saves the day, reluctantly, that I had never seen before.”
Gamora, the green-skinned, sword-wielding assassin, was far from the typical hero. Her complex character and journey from reluctant savior to loyal member of the Guardians offered Saldaña a fresh take on the sci-fi genre. It was a role that allowed her to showcase a different side of herself as an actress and demonstrated that even within the confines of genre filmmaking, there was room for innovation and depth.
Despite her initial fears, Guardians of the Galaxy went on to become a massive hit, and Gamora quickly became one of the standout characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film’s success not only alleviated her fears of being typecast but also proved that she could continue to find new, exciting ways to challenge herself within the genre.
While Saldaña’s work in sci-fi has undoubtedly shaped her career, her journey has not been without its difficulties. One such difficulty came during her time on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Saldaña briefly appeared in the 2003 film, but as she revealed during her BFI talk, her experience on set was far from positive.
“The crew, the cast, 99 percent of the time, are super marvelous,” she said. “But if the studio, the producers and the director… if they’re not leading the kindness and awareness and consideration, then that big production can become a really bad experience.”
Her time on Pirates of the Caribbean left her feeling disillusioned with Hollywood, but it was a subsequent collaboration with director Steven Spielberg that restored her faith in the industry. Saldaña worked with Spielberg on the 2004 film The Terminal, a project that she credits with reigniting her passion for filmmaking.
“After I had done Pirates, he restored my faith,” Saldaña said. Working with Spielberg was a stark contrast to her earlier experience, and it reminded her of why she had fallen in love with acting in the first place.
Saldaña’s journey of self-discovery and growth as an actress reached a new milestone this year with her film Emilia Pérez, which was showcased at the BFI London Film Festival. The actress recently won an award for her performance in the film at the Cannes Film Festival, a win that she admitted left her feeling emotional and deeply validated.
“I didn’t even know how I needed it so much,” she confessed. “Sometimes you feel like you’re just throwing spaghetti on the wall in the hope that something sticks. That visibility let me understand how invisible I had been feeling for so many years.”
For Saldaña, her Cannes win was a moment of personal and professional affirmation—a reminder that despite the challenges she has faced, her work continues to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
While Zoe Saldaña has often been associated with sci-fi blockbusters, her career is anything but limited. With roles in dramas, action films, and now a critically acclaimed performance in Emilia Pérez, the actress continues to defy expectations and push boundaries.
At the BFI London Film Festival, Saldaña’s reflections on her career were a testament to her resilience, versatility, and unwavering commitment to her craft. Whether she’s fighting aliens, exploring the depths of space, or navigating the complexities of human emotion, Zoe Saldaña remains one of Hollywood’s most dynamic and compelling performers.
