Zoe Saldaña Says Adiós to Gamora After 10 Years With ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

Dominican-American actress Zoe Saldaña has decided to say goodbye to her character Gamora from the Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel franchise. The Latina actress announced her decision in a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter.

“It is the end for me; for Gamora,” Saldaña said. “I don’t think this is the end for the Guardians,” she added, hinting that there is more to come for the beloved Marvel franchise. 

“I’ve been very lucky to be part of this journey, but there are other projects I want to pursue.”

Saldaña’s decision also comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise. For other original cast members, including Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista, the upcoming third installment, opening on May 4th, will also be the last.

For Zoe Saldaña, playing Gamora was a challenge and an honor

Zoe Saldaña has always been deeply invested in the development of her character Gamora.

In an interview with Collider, Saldaña spoke about the importance of representation and her desire for Gamora to be a positive role model for young girls:

“I wanted to make sure that Gamora was someone that little girls could look up to, not just because of her strength and ability to fight, but because of her heart, resilience, and vulnerability. Those are the things that make us human.”

Gamora is a complex and multifaceted character in the Marvel Universe

She is a skilled warrior and assassin raised by the villainous Thanos.

Known for her physical prowess and ability to fight with various weapons, Gamora is also a character with depth and emotional complexity who struggles with her relationship with Thanos and her romantic feelings for Peter Quill (Star-Lord). 

As portrayed by Zoe Saldaña, Gamora is a powerful and inspiring figure who has won over audiences with her strength, vulnerability, and determination. 

Saldaña’s dedication to Gamora extended beyond just her performance on screen. In order to bring the character to life, she had to undergo extensive makeup and prosthetics.

“Those prosthetics are not easy to put on, and they’re not easy to take off. It takes a good two and a half hours to put it on and about 45 minutes to take it off. And then after that, you still have to shower and remove all the glue and everything. It’s an ordeal,” Saldaña explained.

Despite the challenges, Zoe Saldaña was always committed to the character, seeing her as an essential symbol of strength and perseverance. 

“I always felt like Gamora was a character that I was meant to play,” she told Variety in 2019. “She’s strong, but she’s also vulnerable. She’s fierce, but she’s also loving. And that’s what makes her so special. To have the opportunity to bring that kind of character to life is truly an honor.”

On her last day of filming, Zoe Saldaña gave a speech thanking the crew she had known for almost a decade, many of whom were in tears. 

“I thanked James for just his time and patience and guidance and friendship,” she said.

This reporter had the chance to see the movie last night. It will be an emotional experience for many to say goodbye to these beloved characters. 

As for Gamora, let’s just say that Zoe Saldaña did it justice. It is the most beautiful send-off.