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Lets start withGuardians Of The Galaxy.That makes sense!.
Theres a streak of comedy through it, a camaraderie that comes through.
But also, it looks really hard work!
Can you talk us through the project, and how you locked into it?
My interest came from having a conversation with James Gunn.
I like directors who are very determined and give their word.
I had a feeling that he was going to honour it.
I like that about people, I still believe in peoples word.
Especially when they commit enough!
It felt like there was so much love, commitment and passion.
We worked on Gamora, trying to make her a little more meaningful.
Out of all the characters, she felt like the one that was the least complete.
Then throughout rehearsals, it was just great.
We got along fabulously: the cast, the director.
James Gunn is a fan of the kind of films he does, because he likes to watch them.
As opposed to approaching this as a great opportunity, an in with Marvel.
James was guardian number one.
We knew we were facing a lot of work.
Even though Chris didnt have any make-up, he had a lot of training to do.
When we were getting make up done and prosthetics, Chris was training and learning all his fights.
We were constantly moving from one thing to another for five months.
But I had a feeling it was going to be worth it.
So no mass punch ups behind the scenes or anything then?
[Laughs] You always have drama, you kidding me?
But I call that a Tuesday on a film set!
I was very lucky.
I feel like Ive been very blessed with the directors Ive worked with from the beginning of my career.
Theres a sensitivity that certain directors like Nicholas have in terms of the actors needs for rehearsals.
For contact with their environment.
Thats what helps the imagination.
Thats the thing I miss about theatre and ballet I guess.
Youre constantly rehearsing in the space youre going to be shooting in.
You are so familiar with the floor, with the item in it, the props.
I would be scared to touch anything!
Im not going to improvise in this take if I dont know how it works.
Those are the things that I take with me.
Have you read John Badhams books on how directors interact with actors?
He makes some interesting points.
He says that the majority of movie directors are scared of actors.
He also says that a bulk of hugely valuable directing is done in rehearsal.
He also talks of different directorial styles across film, TV and theatre.
But how have you found your directors, across the various mediums in which youve worked?
I love theatre directors.
Either through his assistant or whatever, that he was a bit disappointed.
Because it was going to help all of us if we were all there together.
Everybody showed up, from Tracy Morgan to Chris Rock to Luke Wilson.
We were all there rehearsing in this house that we were going to be spending two months in.
And it was fantastic.
Film directors dont like to bother the film actors.
Because sometimes film actors can be a bit intimidating.
Theyre too busy, theyre doing fitting, they have other businesses, they have their own production company.
Theyre travelling in the night before they start to shoot.
When you rehearse, you show up the day of shooting, and yourewarm.
You dont feel anxious, youre not trembling.
Youre familiar with this actor.
You broke the ice already.
You had small talk.
He knows about your life.
You know about him.
Youve spoken to the director, and you know its okay.
So how do you approach that, and how should a director approach it do you think?
Because youre the guardian of the characters there?
I think whats important is when you create a foundation for a character.
For Uhura, I gave her air for my own lungs.
I worked it with the original director.
She talks a certain way, she moves a certain way.
Backstory is everything for me.
When in doubt you always go to the backstory.
I love creating backstories from when my character was five, even though nobody will ever hear it.
And I create a world for them.
Thats so meaningful for me.
Thank you, thank you.
I agree 100%.
That theyre either heavily emotional but no obvious strength, or an awful lot of strength but no emotion?
Do you then have to delve in to do the fleshing out?
Or a director explains it to you.
Even if you find the explanations, if they dont make any sense its not a character worth doing.
But I agree with you.
It bothers me that Im always told that I do strong female characters.
When in reality, I look at my characters and I feel like they were allbroken.
They all came from a very devastating past.
Its because we dont really know women.
We dont write women accurately.
We dont see women the way that we should see women as a society, as a human race.
When you see a real woman, you shouldnt be saying shes strong, you should be saying shesreal.
And I handle myself in the way that I feel a woman should be.
I dont create it.
Its just something that comes natural.
Two quick questions to finish.
Marvel,Star Trek, Avatar.When are you going to secure your pension and doDoctor Who?
Oh my god, that would be amazing.
I would love it.
My niece knows every single actor from the beginnings of the show.
She dresses like a Whovian every day, that blue colour.
It would be wonderful for me to be inDoctor Who.Id be cool forever to her.
Finally: whats your favourite Jason Statham movie?
Youre in Britainnow, so we have to ask you?
[that was an upbeat oh, rather than a call security oh].
I have to say the Guy Ritchie ones [laughs].
Zoe Saldana, thank you very much.
Guardians Of The Galaxyis out in UK cinemas on the 31st July.
With thanks to Rachel George.
