Revealing Girl Talk: My Zoe Saldana Interview

I am excited to share my exclusive interview with Zoe Saldana. Not only does her portrayal of Gamora, a skilled Guardians of the Galaxy assassin, embody sheer strength and resilience, but her performance has also distinguished her as a formidable presence on screen. Beyond her cinematic persona, she is a beacon of empowerment, advocating passionately for women’s rights and equality. This interview delves into her insights on portraying such empowering roles and her unwavering commitment to fostering positive change for women everywhere. Let’s embark on this journey together!

Given her character’s distinctive green appearance in the film, it was inevitable that we would inquire about the process and experience of embodying such a unique physical transformation.

(Makeup took) 4 1/2 to 5 hours, but then I would come to set and I would look good.

Sometimes I couldn’t put my arms down ‘cause if I started to get warm and sweat then the makeup would melt. Every take they would come and have to tweak it.

While the concept of transforming into a green-hued character is undeniably fascinating, the full-body green makeup process involves certain challenges and considerations.

It was green everywhere. Like on the pillow and the tub. My dog was green. It was crazy.

While we didn’t specifically inquire about the logistical challenges of removing green makeup from everything, one can only imagine the effort involved. Additionally, we delved into Zoe Saldana’s preparation process for stepping into the role of Gamora.

I was like how am I going to make this character different from all the other action characters that I’ve done before. My husband is an artist, and we were meeting with a colleague of his who was sharing with us her latest work. She shot it on 65 frames per second of this Spanish Bull Fighter fighting in front of a Picasso painting and she shoots him in one shot all in slow motion.

I thought that’s Gamora, and she’s a Bull Fighter. She’s not going to be a martial artist. You know she’s not going to land like all the characters and all the action figures. She’s going to be a very graceful sword fighter. I just added those little twists, and then I thought well she’s an orphan. She was taken from her planet. It reminded me of The Lost Boys of Sudan. It’s children that taken and forced into a life of crime and violence and deep, deep down, they are good people. They were meant for greatness and their path was just completely erased before it’s even begun. I thought that’s Gamora, and she’s just trying to give herself a last chance to get out.

It was heartwarming to hear Zoe Saldana share anecdotes about her nephew, a devoted fan of Guardians of The Galaxy. She feels a special responsibility to make a lasting good impression on him.

My nephew was my teacher with Gamora. He said, “Do you even know who you’re playing?”  He told me she was taken from her planet and was forced into a life of crime. I was like, “Yeah she’s bad ass.” He said, “She’s not a bad ass, she’s an assassin but she has a great sense of justice.”  He has a little list.

He also asked “So when I– so can I meet Quill? Who’s playing Quill?”  I said, “His name is Chris Pratt. He comes from this show.” It doesn’t ring a bell. I show him a picture, it doesn’t ring a bell. He goes, “That’s gonna’ be Quill?” He’s seen like all the old pictures of Chris from  Parks and Recreation.  My nephew sees him, and he just stands next to him and goes, “So I’m Jose, what’s your name?” Then he asked “who are you playing? Are you playing Star Lord?”  Chris goes, “Yeah buddy I think I am, you know.  He then turns around and goes, “Yes!” and then Chris said, “Oh my God I got the yes from your nephew.”

Anyway, he was sort of like my little Guru.

This story resonated deeply with me. It vividly illustrates Zoe Saldana’s grounded nature and the importance of her supportive family circle. Despite experiencing his aunt’s celebrity status, her nephew firmly focused on Marvel’s portrayal of Guardians of the Galaxy. It speaks volumes about both Saldana’s influence and the genuine passion she inspires in those closest to her.

Now, given the number of action sequences and stunts, we had to ask about her involvement in performing them herself.

50/50. I’m not going to jump the way Gamora jumps. We’re like on the 3rd story and I was suppose to jump, there’s nothing but metal, and she’s on a wire. I’m like, “No, no, no. Let Chloe do it.”

Her name is Chloe (her stunt double), my name is Zoe. She was fabulous. You can actually see her on You Tube. She does a lot of work with staff and she’s an amazing martial artist.  Her kicks are amazing. I knew that Gamora was in good hands.

Following our discussion on her experiences on set, we inquired about her approach to selecting the roles she takes.

The script, the filmmaker, and the character. My character needs to feel relevant. 

I’ve been in those situations where as an individual, as an Artist, as a woman you don’t feel relevant, and it doesn’t feel good.  I spoke to James and I read the script.  I liked the idea of the concept of doing a Marvel movie and working with him. However, I was not that excited about the script from Gamora’s standpoint.  I’m like you, you want me in every scene, but I don’t speak in any of them, so what am I going to do?  I’m just going to go there for 6 months, go through 5 hours of make up every day, 6 days a week, to just be a fly on the wall in every scene and just look at all the guys while they’re cracking jokes?  I was like “No baby that’s not gonna’ happen.  We need to work on this.  This woman, you want her in every scene, if she knows what this orb is, she’s the one that knows who the collector is and she’s the one that ties all these people together then you need to give her a couple of lines every now and then.”

James Gunn agreed with her vision, leading to a fantastic performance as Gamora. Her portrayal was outstanding, showcasing her ability to embody strong female characters with depth and authenticity. This experience has deepened my admiration for Zoe Saldana. It has also reinforced my appreciation for actresses who portray empowering roles on screen.

My conversation with Zoe Saldana has been incredibly enlightening and inspiring. Not only does she exhibit dedication to empowering women, but her thoughtful approach to selecting roles also showcases resilience, talent, and a profound commitment to her craft. Her portrayal of Gamora is a testament to her skill in bringing complex characters to life with grace and authenticity. Moreover, Saldana’s influence extends well beyond the silver screen, making a lasting impression on audiences and advocates alike.