Zoe Saldana Shares Her Views On Abrams, Cameron And ‘Avatar’
Left: Zoe Saldana as Uhuru in 'Star Trek' / Right: Possible Early 'Avatar' Alien Concept Art by artist Jonay Bacallado. (Saldana's Neytiri may look something like this)
It’s a big-budget sci-fi year for actor Zoe Saldana. In the first week of May J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek premieres in which she stars as the leading female cast member, Nyota Uhura. In December she stars as Neytiri, a prominent (and CGI) character in James Cameron’s soon-to-change-the-way-we-view-movies epic, Avatar. With both sci-fi films looking like translating into trilogy’s, the sci-fi sky seems to have no limits for this talented and beautiful actress.
MTV recently caught up with Saldana who shared her views on what it was like having the fortune to work with two of Hollywood’s top filmmakers.
“It’s amazing for an actor to work with J.J. and Jim,” Saldana gushed. “They are similar in that they are exquisite at what they do, and they are young at heart. J.J. has made a very important place for himself in Hollywood by being an exquisite writer. And Jim has done the same by being an amazing voyager and visionary, and a great filmmaker.”
So what does she think of her experience on Avatar?
“‘Avatar’ by far is the most physically strenuous film I’ve ever done. A role had never challenged me to the point where it freaked me out and scared me. And ‘Avatar’ definitely did that. I really have high hopes for it because for two years I gave every bit of me in that part.”
Like virtually anyone else who has seen glimpses of footage from Avatar, Saldana apparently struggled to find the words to describe it.
“I can’t curse so I’ll just say it looks nice. What I really want to say is going to get bleeped out.”
In addition to Star Trek and Avatar, Zoe Saldana is attached to five other movies set for release over the next two years: Burning Palms, The Skeptic, Takers, Death at a Funeral and The Losers.
Zoe Saldana during the UK Premiere of Star Trek at The Empire Leicester Square on April 20, 2009 in London, England. (Picture by Jorge Herrera/Image.Net)
Star Trek hits theaters:
Australia – May 7
USA & UK – May 8
Avatar hits theaters:
Australia – December 17
USA & UK – December 18
April 30th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Sweet Jesus. Star Trek and Avatar get my money just because of her! Megan Fox the hottest? I’m not so sure about that…
October 24th, 2009 at 9:19 am
OMG. It is a beauty. It is a work of art. And Zoe is a very good actress. They are the same person Zoe and Neytiri.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
i love her
February 11th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
i love avatar so much,,,so nice and all character is good as olwez..i love it adik nkog avatar…hahahahah
February 11th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
i love zoe…
March 1st, 2010 at 5:43 pm
I don’t have the words ( or frankly the time)to describe what this movie means to me…to simply say “I LOVE IT!” would not do my passion for this masterpiece, justice! James Cameron is a genius and the BEST in this genre, hands down! Zoe’s alien is breathtaking and mesmerizing to watch and the lead actor ( I can’t recall his name, is such a hottie…I’d gladly switch places with Neytiri under that tree and mate-for-life) I am going to see it again for the third this week ( IMAX-3D, the ONLY way to see it), officially I’m claiming it’s ‘research’ for my weekly column ( Top Ten potential disappointments of Oscar Night) but uh….hey whatever will get me a press pass into the movie theater! *wink*
March 11th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
I loved the special effects and the story wasn’t half bad it’s just that I’ve seen Fern Gulley, The Matrix, and Dances With Wolves! What boggles my mind is that a truly original story was not at all prioritized in the planning of this important movie. Imagine the impact if they had thought outside the box on the plot and script as they clearly did on the special effects — a cynical decision — you bet ya!
November 23rd, 2010 at 6:02 am
she is beautiful and talanted actress. I love her