SINGAPORE—Though tiny in person, Zoe Saldana can slug it out, as her fighting form demonstrated in action films such as 2009’s “Avatar,” 2013’s “Star Trek Into Darkness” and 2010’s “Colombiana.” But what she really wants to fight for is the cause of women in cinema.
“There are not enough female artists who are given the opportunity or actually want to be in more action-driven projects,” she says. “It’s also because they don’t think it’s possible. So, when you kind of open those doors, it becomes better because you’re giving the audience the chance to see an action movie through the female perspective. And if the female artist can pull it off and work as hard as the male actors, then you have a great movie … something that’s not seen so much when you see a woman kick butt.”
Kicking butt is certainly on the menu for the 36-year-old Saldana in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” where she plays Gamora, a skilled assassin adopted by the mad god Thanos but now on a quest of redemption. She’s a green-skinned whirlwind whiz with weapons.
It’s likewise one of a hit list of action films that lean heavily in the direction of sci-fi. “I guess you gravitate unconsciously to what attracts you the most, what gets you excited,” Saldana says, recalling that for Halloween, instead of a princess, she dressed up as a ninja. “Even though I love being part of movies which are sensitive and have a sense of fragility, I feel most challenged and most relevant when I’m able to incorporate my body into what I’m doing.”
Squaring off
One of the things Saldana loves about “Guardians” is that it gave the opportunity to square off and act opposite Scottish actress Karen Gillan, best known for playing the companion Amy Pond in the smash BBC sci-fi TV show “Doctor Who.” In “Guardians,” Gillan plays a cybernetically altered assassin named Nebula who hates Gamora.
“It felt really great knowing I was sharing screen time not only with amazing male actors but also with another female actress,” Saldana says, adding that she and Gillan would duke it out during takes and then break down in giggles afterwards.
Aside from the long shooting hours, Saldana says the tediousness of sitting on the makeup chair posed a challenge to her: “It was five months! We were working with amazing makeup artists. I was dealing with jet lag because I flew in from the States to work in England, so I passed out and when I woke up, it really made an impression. What happened to my face?”
With all the big franchises she’s now a part of (three and counting), Saldana admits the strict requirements of such films can be frustrating. “I completely understand because it is a business and they have to continue thriving and people like to stick to what they know,” she tells Inquirer Super. “But as an artist, it can be a little frustrating when you want to try something and you’re sort of told, no, do it this way or do it that way.”
She isn’t scared of doing more big tent-pole films, though. “I think I’d be limiting myself as an artist out of the fear of other people saying I’m doing too much of this or too much of that,” she says. “I always have to remind myself every morning that I am an artist and I was born this way and this is what I what to do.”
Demanding
As a result, Saldana is unafraid and demanding when it comes to roles. She’s not going to be appearing in “Transformers” movies anytime soon. “That’s Michael Bay, that’s a different story,” she opines. “That’s my opinion as a woman.”
“Guardians” was a great experience for her because she loved working with the cast members and she enjoyed working on actual sets for once instead of green screens. “It’s funny because we’re painted. Your sword is made of rubber and maybe an explosion doesn’t go off on time so you have to keep your sense of humor,” she recalls. “As soon you say ‘action,’ I have this bravado, but as soon as you say ‘cut,’ it’s ow, ow, ow, my feet, take my weapon, I’m hungry.”
Working with great directors is always a plus. “I like working with directors who are very generous with their knowledge and with their time,” she points out. “And James Gunn is very much like James Cameron.”
The future will bring more challenging roles for Zoe Saldana as she’s clearly hankering to get out there, make more movies, get good roles for women and speak her mind. “Because the only reason why I’m able to give 110 percent of me is I like what I’m doing,” she says. Otherwise, she adds, “I’m not nice to be around. I try, but I’m not.”
That makes her the perfect person to play Gamora, a warrior woman with a mission, above all else.