Exclusive Interview with 'Star Trek Beyond' star Zoe Saldana
Last weekend the third installment to "Star Trek" was released to glowing reviews. The film, "Star Trek Beyond" represnted the return of many of the same cast members including Zoe Saldana.
The actress has made her name working on three distinct franchises including "Avatar," "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Star Trek."
Saldana took the time to speak to latin Pots about her work on the last "Star trek" film as well as what it is to be a Latina in the film industry.
Latin Post: What does it feel like to return to this franchise?
Zoe Saldana: It feels wonderful. Every time I was able to come back I couldn't believe it. I kept telling myself, "This doesn't happen to everybody." And yet everybody wishes they could relive, they can interact the cast and the crew again they have grown to love and respect who are worthy of their time. And here we are coming back for a third time. It's a blessing.
LP: What does it feel like to reunite with this cast that you have bonded with over the years?
ZS: I feel wonderful. It's easy to feel safe and it's easy to push yourself when you have cast members that you love and respect. I have witnessed their evolution because we have known each almost ten years and it feels great.
LP: How has the character evolved over the years and what can we expect in this film?
ZS: You are going to be seeing a little more of the ensemble cast and you're going to be able to see more of each individual character even if it's for a moment. To give you more of an option to know what it is like to be in the Enterprise, to be these characters and how they can all contribute.
LP: This film has a new director. How was it working with Justin Lin and what did he bring to the film?
ZS: He's very hardworking, very dedicated, very professional, very focused and very driven. So that gave me a sense of security. That I am going to work relaxed and I felt myself in this director's hand because he knows where we're going. So I loved it when I can trust a director. In terms of him looking after the emotional beats and the arcs of each character. I was happy and proud when he got the job because he's a director I've been rooting for for a while and I always felt he had a lot more in him. and I am happy that Star Trek gave him another layer of his sense of direction that he shared with us.
LP: What are some of new challenges that this film presented?
ZS: For me it was the training. It was the first film I did after I became a mom. So that was a little challenging for me. And I am so happy that I came back to work on Star Trek for the third time. So I was coming into a family that were so happy to know that I had this new addition to my family. They were very tolerant and patient and complimenting. The one thing a woman can never get enough of are compliments after she's transformed her body to bring life to this earth and to have your friends say "You look great; you look beautiful" is very appreciative.
LP: Did you have to do any special training?
ZS: No, I think I've been doing it for so long, it's muscle memory. It's not like I'm getting lazy but sometimes I know how to pick my battles. In this movie, Uhura just has one physical moment and the way that we did it, it was so easy because it's something I've done hundreds of times. So it was so like "Let's get to it."
LP: What can we expect in terms of the romance between Uhora and Spock in this film?
ZS: Yes, they're being challenged and the romance is there? I don't know if it's going to take a direction that all expect. It's certainly happening.
LP: Do you have any special memories and moments being on set?
ZS: After the unfathomable news of Anton [Yelchin]'s passing, it all just brings it back to how much fun we all had that summer. So I feel like the most memorable moments on this film was spending it with my friend.
LP: What are you most excited for, for this installment?
ZS: Entertainment for sure. I hope they receive a message of friendship and unity which is the slogan for Star Trek. I just hope they really allow themselves to be taken for a ride. This is a film that takes a lot of work to make and we're doing it for the sake of the fans and moviegoers and we hope that they like it.
LP: As a Latina, you have done so many franchises. What does it like to be part so many of these?
ZS: It feels wonderful that as a woman I'm able to work and live a life that I think I'm living authentically. And if that can serve as an inspiration for other women and for my Latino community, then I only want to give back to doing. I do believe that actions are louder than words, and I like living a positive life. I think that if people see that then it gives them a specific energy.
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