Today, there are few actors who can boast of having participated in several of the highest grossing films in history. Zoe Saldana, however, has up to 4 widely successful feature films in the economic field in its history. In fact, thanks to Avatar 2: The Water Sensethe actress has just established a record that hardly anyone else will be able to break.
Specifically, Zoe Saldaña has become the first actress to participate in 4 of the 10 highest grossing films in history (via The Direct), an extraordinary achievement and worthy of admiration. These films are: Avatar ($2.9 billion dollars), Avatar 2: The Water Sense ($2,000 million dollars, for the moment), Avengers: Infinity War ($2,052 million dollars) and Avengers: Endgame ($2.7 billion dollars).
Unlike other actors, such as Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson, who boast at least a couple of films located in such a prestigious ranking, Zoe Saldaña has achieved it in two completely different universes.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is immensely popular, so it’s not entirely difficult to leave your name engraved in gold letters when talking about box office. Even more so when their productions are linked together and there is a greater opportunity to reinterpret your character on multiple occasions.
But when that success is divided into different sagas, it makes it clear that the directors and producers have immense confidence in Zoe Saldaña. Also, in neither of the two universes does she have minor roles. As a heroine, she brings to life Gamora, a pivotal figure in the Guardians of the Galaxy. In Avatar does the same with neytiri, co-starring in the story with Jake Sully (Sam Worthington). Certainly, it is in the second saga where he has received the most applause for his interpretation.
Now, despite the fact that these roles have boosted the fame of Zoe Saldaña exponentially, the actress also recognized, in an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, have a feeling of stagnation. All because he has dedicated a good part of his life to two franchises.
“I feel like for the last 10 years of my life I’ve been stuck. I felt trapped doing these franchises… I’m so grateful for the opportunities they gave me, collaborating with amazing directors and meeting cast members I consider friends and being able to play a role that fans, especially kids, love. But it also meant that I felt artistically trapped in my craft of not being able to expand, grow or challenge myself by playing different kinds of genres and different roles.”
Zoe Saldana, on the other hand, said that at this point in her career she also has to struggle with social pressure on women. Why? Because a part of the audience mistakenly believes that age can condition the quality of the actresses’ work. “I’m very happy to be able to collaborate with filmmakers, producers, and people in this industry who want that for women, who want women to be ageless, and who don’t fetishize women’s youth.”