Zoe Saldaña denounces Neytiri as a “full-fledged racist” in “Avatar: Fire and Ash”

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Soon, the public will finally be able to return to Pandora with James Cameronthe third film in the Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash. In it, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and their children once again face the humans who invade Pandora and destroy its natural environment for profit. After Avatar: The Way of WaterJake and Neytiri must not only battle new enemies with the new Mangkwan clan, but also their own heartbreak as they come face to face with the pain of losing their first child, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters).

We spoke with Fire and ashes star Zoe Saldaña on the heaviness of playing Neytiri during this dark time in her life, as well as how her character’s perspective changes as she learns to accept the human child, Spider (Jack Champion). Saldaña candidly calls out her character’s prejudices and teases one of the film’s most moving scenes.

Zoe Saldaña Explains Neytiri and Jake’s Heartbreak in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’

“It wasn’t easy for Jim.”

Image via 20th Century Studios

COLLIDER: Neytiri is one of my favorite characters in this entire series, and in this film in particular, with your portrayal of heartbreak and this journey that she goes on. What was it like taking on this role and exploring this aspect of your life?

SALDAÑA: It was heavy. It was so heavy and heartbreaking and hard. It was not an easy thing. Sat [Worthington] and I didn’t skip work when we were doing Fire and ashesbut we had each other and we had the safety net of Jim [Cameron]. And then, it wasn’t easy for Jim. Jim is a dad, and these were uncomfortable emotions that we were putting Jake and Neytiri through.. But not just Jake and Neytiri – Trinity [Bliss] and Sigourney [Weaver] and Great Britain [Dalton]and also Jack [Champion]. We also experienced it together as a Sully family. And I have to say that I admire the Sully children. I admire these actors. They are so professional. They are so talented. They were so into Pandora. It was so real to them, and it was just beautiful to do it with them.

Zoe Saldaña Breaks Down Neytiri’s Most Problematic Aspect in ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’

“I love that Jim allowed Jake and Neytiri to recognize that.”

One thing I really like about your storyline in this film is actually Neytiri’s relationship, which is quite complicated, with Spider. What’s it like playing this journey from simple tolerance to acceptance of your character?

SALDAÑA: Neytiri is a full-blown racist in this film. I was talking about it with Jim. I think it was important for me not to run away from it for her. This is a woman who has suffered extreme loss at the hands of a race, a species that she does not recognize as her own and does not understand. She doesn’t want to accept them, and yet she falls in love with one of them and starts a family with them.. So she is challenged, and her faith is challenged. But what Neytiri has to do is grow up. She has to do it because her children depend on it. His children are his teachers, and not only her teachers; they are also Jake’s teachers, and I love that Jim allowed Jake and Neytiri to recognize that, to discover the strength and courage in all their children, and to accept when they needed guidance from them.

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“Good for a guy like me who’s a little intimidated by being the center of attention.”

I think it was one of the best scenes between the two of them. I’m not going to spoil it, but when you were talking about it, I was like, damn, this reaches a different level.

SALDAÑA: Oh my God. And to know when a child is vulnerable and needs you, no matter what they look like. And I love that Neytiri proves again and again that she is Na’vi through and through, and that love will always be what conquers all.

It’s really powerful. So I ask that of everyone. If today, Zoe, you had to go to Pandora, what would be the first thing you would do when you got there?

SALDAÑA: Ikran is Flying.

I love that everyone responds this way.

SALDAÑA: I would like to say that I would love to swim with the Tulkun, but the sea, for me, is the biggest and most wonderful thing we have, and the sky too, but I would like to start with the sky.

Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters December 19.