Avatar was a groundbreaking hit when it was released, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time with a total box office haul of $2.9 billion. While its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, didn’t surpass its predecessor, it still amassed an impressive $2.3 billion, leaving James Cameron and his team little to worry about. Both films were also critically acclaimed and received recognition at the Oscars. However, the awards were limited to technical categories, with no nominations for the cast—not even for Stephen Lang, Sam Worthington, or Sigourney Weaver, who appeared as human characters in addition to their motion-capture roles. Zoë Saldaña, who plays Neytiri, finds it shameful that the Academy has essentially ignored their performances.
Saldaña spoke to The Independent about her career, her experiences, and her views on the future. When the interviewer mentioned that the Academy hasn’t recognized her performances despite critical acclaim for Neytiri, she agreed that motion-capture acting deserves proper recognition if the artist earns it. After all, gestures and facial expressions are still the actor's own, even if their appearance is altered through digital post-production.
"Well, yes. Old habits die hard, especially when traditional systems are still in place. It’s really difficult to make change in that environment, and I understand that—I don’t want to complain. But honestly, it’s quite discouraging when you give 120% of yourself. I mean, it’s fine if we don’t win or even if we’re not nominated, but when they look right through you and completely ignore you…"
Saldaña said, expressing her frustration with how motion-capture performances are undervalued.
She also addressed critics who claim the success of the Na'vi in Avatar is purely due to the work of the technical team:
"I know the difference between their work and ours. Of course, at some point, we have to ask ourselves: why do I do what I do? Is it to gain others’ recognition? Or is it because this is simply what I love to do?"
This rhetorical question leaves no doubt about what matters most to a true actor.
The conversation was prompted by Saldaña’s Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Perez, which she considers a great honor in itself.
As for Avatar, the story continues with its third installment, Avatar: The Seed Bearer, set to premiere exactly one year from now.
