With the 2024 movie season approaching its close and awards contenders vying for recognition, Zoe Saldaña is reflecting on her impressive career, particularly her roles within the blockbuster franchises such as the Avatar series and Guardians of the Galaxy. Despite the incredible success of the Avatar films at the box office and their groundbreaking visual storytelling, Saldaña has voiced her concerns over the franchise's consistent oversight when it came to award nominations, especially for major acting categories.
According to Salon, she pointed out the frustrating fact, saying, "I feel like the Avatar films have been overlooked at awards because people don’t truly understand the intricacies of performing within motion capture technology." This sentiment resonates with many performers who rely on advanced technology to bring their characters to life. Saldaña's candid commentary reflects her desire for greater recognition of the emotional depth and physical craft involved during these performances.
Saldaña is not alone; director James Cameron has also championed her incredible contributions to the franchise. He even stated, "Zoe’s commitment and performance level rival those of any Oscar-winning roles." This endorsement from Cameron underlines Saldaña’s talent and the dedication she brings to her characters, especially Neytiri, the Na'vi warrior she portrays.
Despite these accolades, Saldaña admits to feeling “deflated” about the consistent lack of recognition for her industry. She believes audiences are often unaware of the demanding physical and emotional labor required for motion capture acting, stating, "The performers don’t show up just in sweatpants; we give everything up on set to create these pivotal moments."
While Saldaña expresses these frustrations, she remains optimistic. The upcoming Avatar: Fire & Ash, slated for release as part of the 2025 movie schedule, gives her hope for future recognition within the industry. Speaking with Deadline, Saldaña excitedly teased the upcoming film’s plot, indicating there’s plenty of room for compelling storytelling and awards-worthy performances.
“The film will explore how the Sully family copes following significant emotional events,” Saldaña shared. Particularly, the passing of dear young Neteyam, killed tragically by one of Miles Quaritch's men, sets up emotional stakes for the next installment. Saldaña stated, "I’m particularly eager to see how Neytiri and Jake’s relationship evolves against the backdrop of such tragedy. Their love story is integral to the saga, and it will only deepen as we progress with the story.”
The anticipation builds as fans and audiences alike wait to witness the continued adventures on Pandora, including the promise of stunning visuals and engaging character arcs. Although it remains uncertain whether award institutions will finally showcase the artistry of motion capture performances, Saldaña’s determination and strong performances continue to resonate with filmgoers.
Fans can catch Zoe Saldaña’s work in prior releases of the Avatar franchise on Disney+ and also explore her Golden Globe-nominated role in Emilia Pérez, available now on Netflix.
