Star Trek into Darkness‘ Zoë Saldana prefers to be more than eye candy in her movie roles.
The actress, who once went blue for Avatar, will be green for her role as Gamora in the forthcoming Guardians of the Galaxy.
The actress was originally attracted to the role as she is a fan of Director James Gunn‘s previous work. “James Gunn offered me the part; he said I was his only choice,” she said. “I read the script, I saw his work and I love Slither — it’s such an ’80s film, such a cult-y movie, and I’m a kid of the’80s …and the ’90s; I’m not that old.”
Saldana wants to make sure though, that she is more than decoration on the set. “I was definitely open about Gamora needing more substance” she said. “When I did read the script, one of the first drafts, she was just eye candy.”
She worked with Gunn and Joss Whedon to make sure that there was more substance to Gamora. “I didn’t want [to be just eye candy],” she said. “It’s important for me to leave a trail of substantial things that young women can be inspired by. My niece is eleven years old, and I don’t want her to grow up just wanting to be a princess.
“I want her to grow to be a king.”
Guardians of the Galaxy opens August 1.
Source: Today
