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August 2009
AVATAR | An Interview with Zoe Saldana

AVATAR -
 
Zoe Saldana

AVATAR
An Interview with Zoe Saldana
By Denzel Walkes


August 21, 2009





Today, August 21 is 'Avatar Day.' It's when the world gets its first look at director James Cameron’s motion picture epic 'Avatar,' as Twentieth Century Fox and Cameron debut the film’s trailer everywhere – while select cinemas and IMAX theaters will screen extended footage prepared by the renowned filmmaker.

The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Peter Mensah, Laz Alonso, Wes Studi, Stephen Lang, and Matt Gerald.

'Avatar' takes us to a spectacular new world beyond our imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption, discovery and unexpected love, as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization. The film was first conceived by Cameron 14 years ago, when the means to realize his vision did not yet exist. Now, after four years of actual production work, the film delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film, disappears into the emotion of the characters and the sweep of the story.

1st While at this year's San Diego Comic Con, Zoe Saldana spoke exclusively to Blackfilm.com's Denzel Walkes about her role in the film, her reasons for taking the project, and comparing her role to Uhura, which she played on 'Star Trek' this past summer.


Avatar, Neytir, characteri  
What role do you play?

Zoe Saldana: I play a character called Neytiri and she's from the tribe Na’vi which is the species that lives on the planet Pandora. She's a typical taming of the shrew. She's this warrior who is very much into the land and her culture and her people. She's taking great offense that these 'aliens' have come into their planet and have no appreciation for it.



What was the attraction to the project?

ZS: James Cameron. It's not everyday you get a call like that where, 'James Cameron wants to see you for this role.' You just know that it's going to be amazing. To go from J.J Abrams to James Cameron is such a wonderful opportunity. It's beautiful because you know that it's going to be something special and very amazing. It took him 10 years between projects because he works so hard and pays attention to detail. It's undenialably exquisite. That's pretty much what attracted me.
 

How long we were shooting this film?

ZS: I was cast in the Fall of 2006, and I didn't wrap until last Fall. After shooting the first nine months on 'Avatar,' I went off and two months later I started working on 'Star Trek.' At one point, as I was completing filming on 'Star Trek,' I was called back to finish up on 'Avatar.'


How was shooting behind motion capture?

ZS: After 'Star Trek,' it was interesting. The live action part that was shot in New Zealand with Sigourney (Weaver) was done in green screen, and I'm sure it's the same as motion capture. You have to pull a rabbit out of a hat and use your imagination.


Zoe Saldana, James Cameron, AvatarFrom that statement, I gather that the role was just as strong as the character of Uhuru, which you played this summer in 'Star Trek.' How do the two roles compare?

ZS: They compare in terms of the characteristics. They are very good at what they do, and are very strong-minded, and they follow their hearts.













AVATAR opens in theaters everywhere December 18, 2009.

 


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