Amanda Seyfried Was Offered Gamora Role in Guardians of the Galaxy

by

Actress Amanda Seyfried, recognized for her roles in movies like “Mamma Mia!”, “Mean Girls”, and “Mank”, disclosed that she was initially presented with a significant role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but she declined. During the audition phase for James Gunn’s 2014 superhero comedy “Guardians of the Galaxy“, Seyfried secured the part of Gamora, the feared intergalactic warrior and Thanos’ daughter. However, she had doubts about the Marvel project’s success (even predicting it would be their first failure) and opted out of the opportunity. Unsurprisingly, “Guardians of the Galaxy” eventually grossed over $773 million at the box office, launching one of the MCU’s most cherished trilogies.

During an interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz, Amy Seyfried discussed her most memorable roles and some she regretted passing up. Lately, she starred in the Peacock miniseries “Long Bright River,” and is upcoming in Paul Feig’s thriller, “The Housemaid.” She also hinted at news regarding a “Jennifer’s Body” sequel, stating that it has been under development for some time. What drew particular attention was her mention of being cast in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but she didn’t disclose any further details.

Initially, the thought of being tied down and having my color changed filled me with great fear… Yet, it presented an immense chance. Fresh off meeting James personally, who is simply marvelous, there was word that he might not recall our encounter, but I can assure you it’s accurate. I was indeed extended the opportunity, and I pondered it for a few days before making a decision. For some reason, residing in London for half a year each year didn’t appeal to me. Instead, there was another film I longed to star in with Seth MacFarlane titled A Million Ways to Die in the West. It seemed like an appealing proposition. I didn’t wish to feel downhearted.

However, let’s not forget that starring in a Marvel film that flops isn’t ideal for your career trajectory. Initially, I believed that the movie featuring a talking tree and raccoon would be Marvel’s first flop, effectively ending Chris Pratt’s career. But I was mistaken! I simply made a prudent assessment. It wasn’t courageous.

Can You Imagine Gamora Being Played by Anyone Other Than Zoe Saldaña?

Rather than signing up for the Guardians of the Galaxy, Seyfried opted to appear in Seth MacFarlane’s Western comedy, “A Million Ways to Die in the West.” This film, now largely forgotten, represents a stark contrast to James Gunn’s successful reinvention of the superhero genre. Nevertheless, Seyfried only speaks highly of Gunn.

Let me tell you, James Gunn is nothing short of brilliant, he’s got a knack for infusing fun into his work, and his filmmaking skills are simply remarkable. He can breathe life into any project, but at the time, I found myself in a vulnerable position career-wise, and I wasn’t ready to pour my heart into it without repercussions. Working on a project that required me to sit for four-and-a-half hours every day, morning and night, seemed daunting, especially given my past experiences with green screen work which didn’t quite resonate with me. I made a choice that was best for me at the time, and I stand by it. It served its purpose then, and it continues to do so now.

Over time, the role of Gamora fell into Zoe Saldaña’s hands, which she portrayed impressively across numerous Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Despite some debatable alterations to the character in “Volume 3”, Saldaña’s portrayal of Gamora remains one of the most impactful. Lately, Saldaña has been praised for her outstanding performance in the disputed crime musical “Emilia Pérez”, a role that earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Read More

2025-03-21 15:33