OG Voldemort design was a gentle mix of reptile and Willy Wonka’s Charlie Bucket

Zoe Saldaña recently opened up about her experiences playing Gamora in the *Guardians of the Galaxy* trilogy, highlighting the depth she found in the character and challenging the notion that Marvel films lack substance. In an interview with *Variety*, she reminisced about how director James Gunn offered her the role after being impressed by her performance as Neytiri in *Avatar*. Saldaña expressed a desire to explore more aspects of Gamora’s character, saying, “I wish I could go back in time and try so many more things for [Gamora].”

Saldaña noted that Gamora was not just a fun character to portray but also one with surprising emotional depth. She remarked on the common stereotype that superhero movies don’t offer complexity, pointing out that Gunn defied this expectation. “He was doing something really special,” she said, praising his ability to craft characters who are not just traditional heroes but “rejects that came with childhood traumas and disabilities and mental issues.” This portrayal allowed for a more nuanced exploration of themes like self-love and friendship within the Guardians, which Saldaña believes is crucial to understanding the films’ significance.

In reflecting on the trilogy, Saldaña recognized the importance of the characters’ journeys toward finding family and love within their friendships. This sentiment echoed her previous remarks about the conclusion of Gamora’s arc, leaving the door open for a potential return to the role.

Saldaña also touched on the unique anonymity her CGI-heavy roles afford her in public life. While she sometimes goes unrecognized, she joked about the challenges of going out while fully painted green, as seen in her portrayal of Gamora.

Despite the ongoing criticism of the Marvel franchise from notable filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola—who have referred to these films as lacking real cinematic value—Saldaña stands firm in her defense of the genre. She’s not alone; fellow Marvel actors such as Chris Hemsworth and Samuel L. Jackson have also defended the films against similar critiques, with Tom Holland even calling Marvel movies “real art.”

In a world where film criticism often veers into elitism, Saldaña’s perspective serves as a reminder that entertainment doesn’t always need to be profound to be enjoyable. Sometimes, all we want is to see super-powered characters in action while munching on popcorn—no depth required.