Zoe Saldaña, a familiar face in the sci-fi realm, has hinted at her one condition to continue her remarkable journey among the stars: She wants to be human. Known for her roles in colossal sci-fi franchises like Star Trek, Avatar, and the Guardians of the Galaxy series, Saldaña’s otherworldly characters sometimes involve lengthy hours of makeup application.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Saldaña expressed her affection for space but confessed a growing weariness with the extensive makeup demands of portraying characters like the Na’vi or Gamora. “I can’t ever say that I won’t ever go to space. I love being in space. I would like to just be a human in space. I don’t see myself going through the three to four hours every morning of makeup,” she elaborated, pointing out the physical toll and health concerns tied to usage of chemicals for prolonged periods.
Despite these reservations, Saldaña is on board for future projects in the Avatar series, where she plays Neytiri, a pivotal character in the franchise. James Cameron and his team have ambitious plans, with three more Avatar films slated for release over the coming years. Saldaña’s involvement ensures continuity, but the specifics of Neytiri’s future in the saga remain a mystery.
Moreover, speculation about her return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Gamora swirls. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 wrapped up her storyline quite neatly with Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill, leading to uncertainty about her reappearance in the MCU’s evolving roster. Her desire to avoid “three to four hours every morning of makeup” might influence her decision to leave the green-skinned assassin behind, especially when the character’s narrative arc ended on a satisfying note.
Saldaña’s step toward something less fantastical might drive her back to Starfleet as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. Yes, you heard it right—Star Trek 4 is back on the table. Since 2016, when Star Trek Beyond hit theaters, development on the next installment has stalled. But Saldaña’s willingness to strap into the command chair of the USS Enterprise has sparked a resurgence in the Star Trek series, suggesting that we may not be far off from another mission in the Kelvin timeline.
It’s clear Saldaña isn’t closing the airlock on science fiction just yet. The gravitational pull of both Avatar and Star Trek keeps her tethered to the genre, despite the makeup-related grievances that come with some of the more exotic roles. While fans might miss seeing her don Gamora’s green skin, her integration into future fantasy flicks looks promising with roles where she can revel in her natural human form, hopefully wrapped in a Starfleet uniform.
Closing Credits
Whether dealing with grueling makeup sessions or embodying iconic characters, Zoe Saldaña’s commitment to science fiction stands firm. Her recent Star Trek development may satisfy fans craving her return to more “human” roles in space. Meanwhile, the Avatar saga, where she remains an alien warrior, lingers on the horizon with its next chapter, Avatar: Fire and Ash, set for release in 2025. Saldaña’s reluctance to commit long-term to physically demanding roles should be no surprise to her audiences—after all, you can’t blame her for wanting a human perspective from time to time in her extra-terrestrial career.
