Zoe Saldaña recently shared her experiences and concerns about being typecast in sci-fi roles, as well as the pivotal role director James Cameron played in helping her secure a part in the Star Trek franchise. Speaking at an event during the BFI London Film Festival, Saldaña discussed her journey through the genre and the challenges she faced.
Saldaña has become a well-known figure in the sci-fi world, with significant roles in major franchises such as Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Trek. Despite her success, she admitted that she initially feared being limited to this genre. “I went into Guardians with a lot of fear of being typecast,” she explained, referencing her role as Gamora in the Marvel franchise.
The actress revealed how a chance encounter on the set of Avatar helped her land the role of Uhura in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot. “I knew he was casting for Star Trek,” Saldaña said. “He [Abrams] and Jim [Cameron] were talking, and Jim lets him hold his little camera that he built. I remember talking to J.J., and he said, ‘I’m going to call you, I really want to have a conversation with you.’ After J.J. walked away, Jim came over and said, ‘I just booked your next job.’”
Saldaña also touched on a difficult experience she had during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean, explaining how it briefly shook her faith in the film industry. She credited Steven Spielberg with restoring that faith during her work on The Terminal. “After I had done Pirates, he [Spielberg] restored my faith,” she said, noting the impact of his leadership and kindness on set.
Her recent win at Cannes, shared with her co-stars in Emilia Pérez, was an emotional moment for Saldaña, as she reflected on how much the recognition meant. “Sometimes you feel like you’re just throwing spaghetti on the wall, hoping something sticks,” she said. “That visibility let me understand how invisible I had been feeling for so many years.”
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