Saldaña Breaks Box Office Record, Thanks Directors Who Made It Happen
The actress reached an unprecedented milestone in cinema history, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the filmmakers behind her biggest franchise successes in an emotional social media message.
Zoe Saldaña has officially claimed the title of highest-earning performer in movie history. She passed Scarlett Johansson for the record this month as Avatar: Fire and Ash continues its box office run, bringing in more than $1.3 bn worldwide and pushing Saldaña's career total to nearly $17 bn.
The milestone prompted an emotional response from the actress, who posted a video message on Instagram thanking the directors behind her most successful projects.
Gratitude for Franchise Architects
"I just want to express my sincere gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today, an achievement made possible entirely by the incredible franchises and the collaborators that I have been fortunate to be a part of," Saldaña said in her weekend post.
She specifically called out the filmmakers who shaped her career. "To every director who placed their trust in me, thank you: JJ Abrams, Joe and Anthony Russo, James Gunn, and, most importantly, thank you James Cameron for believing my potential, for seeing something in me that I have not always seen in myself, and for challenging me to always rise to the occasion."
From Star Trek to Marvel Universe
Each director mentioned played a major role in Saldaña's journey to the top. Abrams cast her as Nyota Uhura in his Star Trek films. The Russo brothers and Gunn guided her portrayal of Gamora across multiple Marvel projects, including Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers films.
Cameron's Avatar franchise proved most significant. Saldaña has brought Neytiri to life in three films since 2009, with the latest installment driving her past the previous record holder.
Recognition for Fans and Future
"Your faith, your guidance, and your vision, they shape not only these films but me as an artist. And to the fans around the world, thank you," she continued. "Your unwavering support, passion, and loyalty are the true foundation of this milestone. None of this exists without you showing up time and again with open hearts and enthusiasm."
Saldaña closed her message with hope for the industry's future. "This accomplishment belongs to all of us and I'm deeply grateful and profoundly humbled, and may the next recordbreaker be another woman!"