Zoe Saldaña has made history by becoming the highest-grossing actor ever, a remarkable feat attributed to her role in "Avatar: Fire and Ash." This milestone is not just a statistic; it represents a significant moment in cinematic history.
Saldaña has starred in the three top-grossing films of all time: the original "Avatar" released in 2009, its sequel, "The Way of Water" from 2022, and the 2019 blockbuster "Avengers: Endgame," which ranks second overall. Notably, she is the first actress to feature in four films that have each crossed the $2 billion mark globally, including the 2018 hit "Avengers: Infinity War." Beyond her work in the "Avatar" franchise and her roles as Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe across three "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, she also played Nyota Uhura in the "Star Trek" trilogy, collectively earning over $1 billion at the box office.
As we step into 2024, Saldaña's impressive global box office earnings have surpassed $14 billion, previously placing her behind other MCU titans like Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson. However, her ascent to the pinnacle of box office success was solidified following the release of December's "Avatar" threequel, which has already grossed $1.23 billion. This brings her total film earnings to an astonishing $15.47 billion, according to data compiled by The Numbers.
The year 2025 marked a significant triumph for Saldaña as well. In March, she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her unforgettable role in "Emilia Pérez," making history as the first Dominican American to achieve this honor. The vibrant musical, directed by Jacques Audiard, not only dazzled audiences at its Cannes Film Festival premiere but also swept various awards throughout the season, including accolades from the SAG, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice awards.
In a recent conversation with Variety, Saldaña expressed her joy at being able to add "Oscar winner" to her name. "It feels really good," she shared, laughing about a humorous remark from her husband, director Marco Perego Saldaña. He joked that her newfound status means she can't go anywhere without someone announcing it—"You can’t even rob a bank now without it being ‘Academy Award winner…’" Saldaña chuckled, acknowledging the truth in his joke while emphasizing her commitment to continue creating compelling work.
In "Avatar: Fire and Ash," Saldaña returns to her iconic role as Neytiri, the Na’vi warrior whose dynamic relationship with Jake Sully, portrayed by Sam Worthington, serves as the heart of the franchise's narrative. To bring this character to life, the film employs cutting-edge performance capture technology, a groundbreaking technique developed by the visionary filmmaker James Cameron.
Saldaña elaborated on the importance of this technology, stating, "The reason why this world resonates so deeply with audiences is that acting is fundamental for Jim. Performance capture allows actors to focus intensely on their emotions without the distractions often present in traditional live-action films. It provides the unique opportunity to pour one’s entire heart and energy into a scene, creating authentic connections with viewers."
Looking ahead, fans can anticipate Saldaña's return in "Avatar 4," scheduled for release in December 2029, and "Avatar 5," set to debut in December 2031. Thus, her journey as a leading force in the film industry is far from over, and the box office success is likely to continue.
