As a gamer who has seen his fair share of movie adaptations and spin-offs, I can’t help but marvel at the fascinating interconnectedness that exists within the realm of Hollywood. Zoe Saldaña’s journey from Neytiri to Uhura is an excellent example of how one role can pave the way for another, much like a well-placed power-up in a game can open up new possibilities and levels.
Zoe Saldaña is recognized as one of the top-tier film actresses of her generation, having spearheaded some of the most well-known movie series ever made. One such series is “Avatar,” where she morphs into the blue Nav’i princess Neytiri. The acclaim she’s received since her appearance in James Cameron‘s 2009 sci-fi blockbuster doesn’t appear to have negatively impacted her career. Instead, it appears that her part in Cameron’s film opened the door for her to secure roles in the “Star Trek” movies.
Back in 2007, I was part of the epic Avatar film production, where I spent most of the year immersed in this groundbreaking project. During October of that year, I contributed to the live-action segments, an experience I’ll never forget. Recently, during a Screen Talks session at the London Film Festival, I reminisced about this extraordinary journey. When talking about one of James Cameron’s masterpieces, I shared a fascinating tale from the set: a very special guest dropped by one day.
On the Avatar set, JJ Abrams arrived for a discussion with Jim. In the conversation, Jim commented, “I believe I’ve just lined up your upcoming assignment. By any chance, have you watched Star Trek?
Isn’t it curious how events unfold? It wasn’t explained during Zoe Saldaña’s interview why J.J. Abrams happened to be on set, but I’m grateful he recognized raw talent there. And indeed, things fell into place, with Saldaña ultimately securing a role in Abrams’ production. Just as Avatar did, those movies would significantly influence the course of her film career.
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In the 2009 movie “Star Trek”, Zoe Saldaña portrayed Nyota Uhura, a character initially played by Nichelle Nichols in Gene Roddenberry’s original series. Notably, Saldaña continued to play Uhura across all three films set in the Kelvin timeline, including “Star Trek into Darkness” (2013) and “Star Trek Beyond” (2016). The actress has expressed fond memories of working on these movies and had a special connection with Nichols, who sadly passed away in 2022. There have been ongoing discussions about another film in the series, though its production has faced delays. Saldaña is open to being involved but feels it would be emotionally challenging given the passing of her co-star, Anton Yelchin.
Without a doubt, it’s confirmed that the leading actress will once again embody Netyri in the upcoming movie “Avatar: Fire and Ash”, which is highly anticipated for 2025. Currently, not much is known about the plot, but given the information available, Jake Sully, Neytri, and their family might find themselves in perilous circumstances once more, this time due to the volatile nature of the Ash people.
As someone who enjoys sweet movie trivia, I really appreciate the behind-the-scenes connection between Zoe Saldaña’s work on the aforementioned sci-fi franchises. I also look forward to seeing her return to the world of Pandora and also hope she’ll be able to jump back on the Enterprise for another turn as Uhura at some point.
With a Disney+ subscription, you’re able to stream the first two “Avatar” films before “Fire and Ash” hits theaters on December 19, 2025. If you’re interested in Zoe Saldaña’s performances in those three Star Trek movies, you can access them with a Paramount+ subscription instead.
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2024-10-15 15:37