Academy Award-winner Zoe Saldaña receives praise from her Avatar director James Cameron. One of the most versatile performers in the industry, Saldaña scooped the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rita Mora Castro in the controversial Spanish-language musical crime comedy film Emilia Pérez. In doing so, she became the first American actor of Dominican descent to win an Academy Award, and has received praise and accolades from the acting world for her talents. One of the most prominent and successful directors of all-time has heaped praise on Saldana in the wake of her win.
In an interview with Variety, Cameron, who has received three Academy Awards in his career, showered his two-time leading lady with praise. The two worked closely together on Cameron’s epic science-fiction spectacle Avatar, and its follow-up Avatar: The Way of Water, in which Saldana played the character of Neytiri. Cameron revealed his delight at seeing Saldaña receive recognition for her talents, stating that she’s always been a world-class performer. Check out Cameron’s full comments below:
I was so happy to see Zoe acknowledged as the world-class performer we, in the ‘Avatar’ family, have always known her to be. Her acceptance speech was a noble reminder of what immigrant families bring to the U.S. and to Hollywood.
I’ve worked with Academy Award-winning actors, and there’s nothing that Zoe’s doing that’s of a caliber less than that. But because in my film she’s playing a ‘CG character,’ it kind of doesn’t count in some way, which makes no sense to me whatsoever. She can go from regal to, in two nanoseconds, utterly feral. The woman is ferocious. She is a freaking lioness.
What These Comments Mean For Saldaña’s Career
The Actress Is Finally Getting Recognition For Her Range & Depth
Saldaña has enjoyed a successful and varied career, starring in blockbusters such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Avatar, as well as dramas like The Words. Saldaña’s highest-grossing movies have earned more than $15 billion worldwide. She has always had strong talent, and the Oscar win shows that her abilities as an actress are officially being recognized. Though, from Cameron’s comments, it is clear he has always believed in her ability, range, and strength as a performer.
The Oscar win could see Saldaña go on to even bigger things in her career, and more movies with Cameron could follow once the Avatar film series concludes.
Whilst the Oscars have had their share of controversy over the past decade, there is no question that they remain the pinnacle of award recognition in the industry, and wins come with acclaim, as well as opening more opportunities for future projects. For Saldaña to scoop this recognition is bound to work wonders for her career, and could lead to greater success in the future.
Our Verdict On Saldaña’s Oscar Win
It’s Going To Be An Exciting Few Years For The Actress
Cameron has worked with Saldaña on Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water already, and has two more installments starring her currently in various stages of production. The Oscar win could see Saldaña go on to even bigger things in her career, and more movies with Cameron could follow once the Avatar film series concludes. It looks set to be an exciting time for the star as she stars in franchise and non-franchise films, and Cameron’s support will continue to play a big role in Zoe Saldaña‘s future success.
Source: Variety
