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Zoe Saldaña, known for her roles in blockbuster franchises like ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, recently opened up about her transformative experience working with Steven Spielberg on the 2004 film ‘The Terminal’. This came after a challenging stint on ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’, which nearly made her reconsider her career in big-budget Hollywood productions.
Saldaña’s experience on the set of ‘Pirates’ was far from ideal. She described feeling lost and unsupported, which led to a negative overall experience. Despite the crew and cast being marvelous, the lack of kindness and consideration from the studio, producers, and director made the production a difficult one. Years later, producer Jerry Bruckheimer personally apologized to her for the ordeal.
Fortunately, Saldaña’s faith in Hollywood was restored when she worked with Spielberg on ‘The Terminal’. She recalled feeling “so good and so safe” on set, thanks to Spielberg’s considerate and inclusive approach. The director would play music over loudspeakers between scenes to ensure everyone was synchronized and on the same page, creating a harmonious working environment. This experience introduced Saldaña to the work of ‘Nino Rota’, an Italian composer known for scoring many of Federico Fellini’s films.
Currently, Saldaña is promoting her new movie ‘Emilia Pérez’, directed by Jacques Audiard. The musical crime comedy tells the story of Emilia (played by Karla Sofía Gascón), a drug cartel leader who enlists Rita (Saldaña) to help her fake her death and undergo gender-affirming surgery. The film also stars Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Mark Ivanir, and Édgar Ramírez, and has been selected by France as its submission for the international feature Oscar.
When ‘Emilia Pérez’ premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Saldaña, Gascón, Gomez, and Paz won the best actress award. Saldaña expressed how much this recognition meant to her, as it made her feel visible and validated in her career. The film is set to release on Netflix on November 13.
Saldaña’s journey from the trenches of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ to the supportive environment of ‘The Terminal’ and the acclaim of ‘Emilia Pérez’ highlights her resilience and dedication to her craft. Her story is a testament to the importance of kindness and consideration in the film industry.
