Zoe Saldaa is undoubtedly one of the most well-known action stars working today. She is more than competent of using a range of weapons, and she is not hesitant to demonstrate her mastery of several fighting styles. She has shown that she can be regarded seriously as an actor in a range of dramas in addition to her action parts, and she also provides superb voice work for a few animated films. This weekend marks the premiere of Avatar: The Way of Water, so let’s take a look back at 10 of her best on-screen appearances.
Avatar (2009)
Since its first release in 2009, Avatar has remained unsurpassed as the most successful movie of all time. James Cameron is no stranger to producing a cinematic classic, as evidenced by the fact that Titanic, one of his earlier films, is currently the third-highest-grossing movie of all time. In the movie Avatar, a paraplegic Marine named Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is assigned to a space mission to observe the Na’vi people on the planet Pandora. Jake’s consciousness is transferred to an avatar that was created to resemble the Na’vi warriors in every way. He meets and falls in love with Neytiri (Zoe Saldaa), the spiritual leader of the clan’s clan, during this period, and together they create an alliance to defend Pandora from human mining operations. Saldaa’s performance is unmatched because she managed to convey such emotion while being confined to a silly motion capture costume and filming in an empty warehouse. Even on a typical set, it is uncommon for actors to be able to portray this much passion. Neytiri is such a beloved and badass character due of Saldaa’s passionate performance. It will be interesting to see what she contributes to the upcoming series film.
Center Stage (2000)
In her first role in a major motion picture, Zoe Saldaa was cast at the start of the new millennium. With the goal of becoming professional dancers, a group of 12 youngsters from varied backgrounds enrol at the American Ballet Academy in New York. Their story is followed by Center Stage. Each of them must manage the significant pressures connected to succeeding in the field and completing training. Saldaa received traditional ballet training at the ECOS Espacio de Danza Academy when she was a little girl. These abilities finally assisted her in getting the part of Eva Rodriguez, a temperamental but extremely brilliant dancer. Saldaa provides the nuanced performance necessary for such a nuanced and compelling character. Her performance distinguishes out from the competition, and it’s fun to see her use her skills outside of acting.
Colombiana (2011)
The part that made Saldaa a legitimate action star is directed by Luc Besson and Robert Kame, the creators of Nikita and Léon: The Professional. In the violent thriller Colombiana, a young girl who witnessed the murder of her parents as a kid grows up to become a ruthless killer. Cataleya works as a hitwoman for her uncle during the day, but in her free time, she commits vigilante killings in the hopes of finding the mobster who killed her parents. Even if the story’s plot is dreadfully unoriginal, Saldaa’s exceptional acting raises it above where it would have been without her in the role. She exudes an incredible sense of composure and power as this unyielding tough, and she is immensely convincing in the role.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
In Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel’s first space adventure, a band of misfits join together to defend an infinity stone from a villain who wants to end the universe. Saldaa portrays Gamora, the ruthless assassin, and is completely covered in green paint from head to toe. She creates one of the most complex characters in the game by expertly capturing the shift from evil criminal to sardonic mercenary. Audiences are eager to see how her story is resolved in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which is set for release in May. She has reprised the character in four consecutive movies.
Missing Link (2019)
In this stop-motion cartoon, Mr. Link (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) enlists the help of explorer Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) and intrepid traveller Adelina Fortnight (Saldaa) in order to find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Missing Link, which won Best Animated Feature at the 2020 Oscars, is a creative family film full of warmth, charm, and fun. Saldaa has greater freedom to play about and try new things with the character of Adelina because of her openness to let loose. She develops into her actual self as she travels and learns to be strong and independent. It’s challenging to miss the blatantly joyful mood that permeates her performance.
Rosemary’s Baby (2014)
Agnieska Holland (Spoor), a director, turned the 1968 movie Rosemary’s Baby into a two-part miniseries in 2014. This story, which is based on Ira Levin’s 1967 novel of the same name, centres on a young couple who are having a hard time accepting their recent miscarriage. As a result, they go from New York to Paris, where they become involved with a couple who have strange, sinister skills. Starring with Patrick J. Adams (Suits) as her husband Guy is Rosemary Woodhouse. The show struggled to establish itself because it lost track of the atmospheric horror components in favour of filler content. Despite this, Saldaa gives a captivating performance that heightens the tale’s ominous undertones.
Star Trek (2009)
The 2009 Star Trek reboot directed by J.J. Abrams was a huge success. The return of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and Lieutenant Nyota Uhura (Zoe Saldaa) thrilled fans of the original television series. Nichelle Nichols played Lieutenant Uhura, the communications officer who became the first prominent Black woman in space, in the original series that debuted in 1966. Numerically, Nichols’ work has enormous relevance. An entire generation was inspired by her presence alone, which was revolutionary. Saldaa gives the part new life while paying tribute to Nichelle Nichols’ legacy.
The Book of Life (2014)
Who will prevail in the battle for Zoe Saldaa’s affection? Could it be Joaquin (Channing Tatum), the unstoppable war hero, or Manolo (Diego Luna), a modest bullfighter with aspirations to be a singer? Mexican folklore is abundant in the inspiring narrative known as The Book of Life. This movie draws viewers in with its distinctive visual style as it transports them to three fascinating worlds. Saldaa is fiery, humorous, and confident in herself as Maria. In her debut animated film, she not only showcases her singing prowess but also her voice acting skills. Before participating in the 2016 biopic based on the life of Nina Simone, this is her first musical performance.
The Losers (2010)
As the Bolivian assassin Aisha al-Fadhi, Zoe Saldaa holds her own in a team predominately made up of guys. One of the most beautiful sights in the world is to witness a strong and tough warrior punch, kick, and launch grenades at her foes. She invested a lot of time and effort into getting ready for the part, going through physical and weapons training. She exudes enthusiasm and care for the part, bringing layers of complexity that may have been lost on a less experienced performer. Saldaa serves as The Losers’ saviour and is essential to keeping the viewer engaged throughout the entire movie. She is merciless and vicious like a deadly weapon.
Vantage Point (2008)
The attempted assassination of the American president is recounted in 2008’s Vantage Point from a variety of views, including that of reporter Angie Jones. The movie’s repetitiveness has drawn some criticism, yet the storyline is consistently exciting and fun. The engaging cinematography and editing help to create the story’s chaotic and frantic feel. Saldaa does not fade into the background despite Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, and Sigourney Weaver being the movie’s main actors. She uses the opportunity to show her variety as an actress and to tease dramatic suspense in the supporting part.
