Zoe Saldana unleashes on those saying that Marvel actors are “selling out”

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Marvel's AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR actress Zoe Saldana, who's recently been on the receiving end of much acclaim for her role as the determined school counselor, Mrs. Mollé, in Anders Walter's fantasy indie film I KILL GIANTS, has got something to say to those in Hollywood who feel that she and members of her Marvel family are "selling out."

“I’ve been in rooms with people in this industry who are great at what they do, but they’re absolutely elitist and they look down at movies like the Marvel films or actors like myself. They think we’re selling out in some way,” Saldana announced in an interview with Net-A-Porter. “Every time they speak I feel so disappointed in them, because whenever you see pictures of people in this industry who donate their time to children in need, it’s these actors that live in the world that you feel is selling out.”

Saldana then went on to say that the responsibility of portraying a superhero on-screen is an honor, and one that is often taken for granted by those who do not enjoy the spectacle of the genre. “That actor takes time out of their life and sits down with that five-year-old and says, ‘I see you, I hear you, and you matter,’” she said. “Those elitists should be a little more cognizant about what playing a superhero means to a young child. Because you’re not just dissing me, you’re dissing what that child considers important in their world,” Saldana preached. Also, as a side-note, even though you can't see me right now, I happily confess to have just leapt from my office chair while shouting the word "Hallelujah!"

Saldana then continued to explain her position by saying, “I feel so proud to be living in space, to be playing green and blue aliens, to inspire, primarily, the younger generations.” She continued, “I remember what it was like to be young and to feel completely excluded out of the mainstream conversation of life because I was just little and unimportant and ‘other.’”

As the interview continued, the outlet asked the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY actress if, while growing up, she saw aspects of herself represented onscreen. To which Saldana smartly replied, “As a child, when I saw Sigourney Weaver play Ellen Ripley or Linda Hamilton play Sarah Connor, they were my true north, because I loved action, I loved science fiction and I loved the roles that they played,” she said. “They were inspiring to me; I wanted that. It wasn’t until I started in my own career that I was reminded that I wasn’t ‘like’ them.”

Ugh. Imagine working so hard to get to where you want to be only to have those in charge tell you that you're still not good enough, or that the kind of role you want to play simply doesn't "appeal" anymore. After having that in your head for a moment, think about the recent action roles delivered by women such as Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, Charlize Theron's Furiosa and Lorraine Broughton of ATOMIC BLONDE, or Alicia Vikander's Lara Croft. Now, try telling me again that female badasses don't appeal to audiences, or that they don't bring in money at the box office. Go head, I'm waiting … yeah, that's what I thought.

Lastly, Saldana wrapped the interview by confessing that many of her superhero co-workers have often felt like outsiders, and that working with Marvel has made them feel important, thanks in-part to the extended family they've gained via their MCU brothers and sisters. “I work with filmmakers who gravitated to this genre because they were exiles in their own right, excluded from a mainstream conversation,” Saldana said. “They found their world and they were able to imagine the unimaginable. Everything about how they create, and how they invite characters to join them, is absolutely inclusive.”

Hell yeah, girl! You enjoy yourself, get that money, and be a hero to those kids! After all, those stuffy elitists are likely to be jealous that they haven't been asked to join the party. You and your friends keep holding it down for us who enjoy traveling to parts unknown, while watching some of fiction's best and bravest warriors change the lives of millions, one superhero movie at a time.