Zoe Saldaña Says Working With Steven Spielberg on ‘The Terminal’ ‘Restored My Faith’ in Big Hollywood Productions After Bad ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Experience

As a seasoned film critic with a penchant for delving into the personal journeys of actors, I must say that Zoe Saldaña’s career trajectory is nothing short of intriguing. Her experiences on the sets of blockbusters like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Terminal” serve as a stark reminder of the dual nature of Hollywood: one part glamour and one part grit.


Through the years, Zoe Saldaña has collaborated with numerous renowned filmmakers in Hollywood, such as James Cameron and J.J. Abrams. However, it was none other than Steven Spielberg who particularly “rekindled her belief” in the entertainment industry.

Saldaña starred in Steven Spielberg’s 2004 comedy-drama “The Terminal,” alongside Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones. This role followed her debut in the big-budget film “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” Saldaña has been candid about her less than ideal experience on the “Pirates” set, and during a Screen Talk at the BFI London Film Festival last Saturday, she shared that it nearly pushed her to resign.

Saldaña stated about ‘Pirates’ that due to her past experiences, she knew the type of individuals she preferred to collaborate with. The cast and crew were typically excellent 99% of the time, but if the studio, producers, and director lacked empathy and thoughtfulness, a production of such scale could turn sour and potentially become overwhelming, which is what happened in her case.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2022, Zoe Saldana shared her feelings about the project, stating: “I didn’t have a great overall experience from it. I felt swallowed up by it for quite some time, and I just couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right.” Later on, producer Jerry Bruckheimer personally apologized to her for any discomfort she may have experienced.

Next up on my watchlist was “The Terminal.” Eight months later, I found myself collaborating with the legendary Steven Spielberg, a partnership that reminded me once again that grandeur doesn’t always compromise greatness.

She vividly recalled the sensation of being both content and secure on set, noting how Spielberg frequently played music through the speakers during breaks to keep everyone in sync and on the same wavelength. It was during these discussions that she first encountered the works of Nino Rota, a renowned Italian composer who often scored films for director Federico Fellini. A conversation with Spielberg about Rota’s influence on filmmaking left an indelible impression: “To truly understand where you are,” he said, “you must first comprehend where you originated.

Actress Zoe Saldana is generating headlines due to her latest film “Emilia Pérez.” In this movie, directed by Jacques Audiard, Saldana portrays Rita, a character who assists Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón), a drug cartel leader, in faking her death and obtaining gender-affirming surgery. The cast also includes Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Mark Ivanir, and Édgar Ramírez. “Emilia Pérez” was chosen to represent France for the international feature Oscar category, and it made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May. At the festival, Saldana, Gascón, Gomez, and Paz were awarded best actress.

In a chat with EbMaster at Cannes, Saldaña opened up about the apprehension she experienced regarding the musical aspect of the movie, as it includes unique tunes by Camille and multiple dance sequences.

She explained that she experienced every level of her anxious state, becoming disoriented at first, then doubting herself, but eventually feeling as if she might be making a breakthrough.

I found myself moved by Saldaña’s words, as she emphasized the significance of sharing an “unusual tale.” It’s crucial, in my view, for narratives such as these to be embraced with not just open hearts, but also open minds.

“Emilia Pérez” will release on Netflix Nov. 13.

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2024-10-12 19:16