Zoe Saldaña Reflects on Gamora’s Journey and the Marvel Experience She Wishes She Could Redo

The actress opens up about missing key emotional beats in Gamora’s arc, her pride in the Guardians legacy, and hopes for future representation in the MCU.

Zoe Saldaña recently sat down with Variety’s Tiana DeNicola for a lighthearted game of “Know Their Lines,” but the conversation took a deeper turn when Saldaña expressed some regrets about her portrayal of Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Specifically, she admitted she didn’t fully grasp the complexity of her character’s emotional arc while working on Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame with directors Joe and Anthony Russo.

“I wish I could go back and reshoot what Gamora was going through in the Avengers movies,” Saldaña reflected. “I didn’t completely understand what the Russo Brothers had envisioned at the time. They’re incredible filmmakers, and getting to work with them was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They gave Gamora such a pivotal role, and I’ll always be grateful for that. But I feel like I missed the chance to push harder, especially given the emotional weight of her story—whether she was trying to reconcile with her father, Thanos, or make the decision to walk away from him entirely.”

Saldaña first stepped into Gamora’s shoes in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and returned for its sequels and the Avengers films. Reflecting on the unique depth Gunn brought to the story, Saldaña explained that the Guardians were more than just misfits—they were complex characters with emotional baggage, giving younger audiences something meaningful to connect with.

“I know it’s a Marvel movie, and people hesitate to use the word ‘deep’ with Marvel,” she said with a laugh. “But I take pride in being part of films that speak to young viewers and inspire them. What James Gunn was doing was really special. These characters came with childhood trauma, mental health struggles, and personal flaws. He gave them the space to be loved and to find family within their friendships. Now, looking back, it feels like a very important project to have been part of.”

While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) marked the end of Saldaña’s time in the MCU, she hopes the character of Gamora will continue to evolve. Her wish? That the next iteration of Gamora be portrayed by another woman of color.

“Let it be a brown girl playing Gamora,” Saldaña said passionately. “Give that opportunity to someone else and see what she brings to the character. Just like I brought my own spin to [‘Star Trek’s’] Nyota Uhura, with Nichelle Nichols’ blessing.”

Though Saldaña may have left the MCU behind, her impact on the franchise remains. Her version of Gamora gave audiences not just a fierce warrior but also a character grappling with deep emotional struggles—a legacy she hopes others will carry forward.