Saldaña Credits Ripley and Connor as Career Inspiration
The highest-grossing actress reveals how two legendary action heroines guided her path to Hollywood success, from Avatar to Special Ops: Lioness.
Ask someone to name Hollywood's highest-grossing actor, and most people assume it's a man. Tell them it's actually a woman, and they'll probably guess Scarlett Johansson. Few would think of Zoe Saldaña, despite her nearly $15 bn box office total across Marvel films, Avatar, Star Trek, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
The actress has built an empire spanning blockbuster franchises and hit TV shows like Special Ops: Lioness. She's also lending her voice to Pixar's upcoming Elio while potentially earning Oscar recognition for her role in musical Emilia Pérez. When Avatar: Fire and Ash releases this month, she'll likely surpass Johansson as the top earner.
Action Heroes Who Shaped Her Vision
Despite her massive success, Saldaña believes her race has limited her recognition. Born in New Jersey to Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, she thinks bias against superhero movies has also played a role. But growing up, she never felt underrepresented on screen.
"I did! As a child, when I saw Sigourney Weaver play Ellen Ripley [in Alien] or Linda Hamilton play Sarah Connor [in Terminator], they were my true north, because I loved action, I loved science fiction, and I loved the roles that they played," she told Net-a-Porter. "They were inspiring to me; I wanted that. It wasn't until I started in my own career that I was reminded that I wasn't 'like' them."
Cameron Connection Spans Decades
Both films Saldaña mentioned came from James Cameron, who later cast her as Avatar's lead. She signed on at 28 for the 2009 original. By the time the fifth installment arrives in 2031, she'll be 54.
"It's a gift to be able to revisit a character that has given me so much," she said recently. "To revisit a place that has been so magical. Not just for me, but for so many people in the world."
Current Projects and Recognition
Between Avatar sequels four and five, Saldaña returns as CIA case officer Joe McNamara in Taylor Sheridan's Special Ops: Lioness. The show earned renewal for a third season and won her a Critics' Choice award. The series follows real undercover female operatives, featuring Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman in major roles.