Two new interviews show that the casting of Zoe Saldana gives the new Star Trek movie a ‘twofer’ when it comes to diversity. The actress talked to BlackFilm.com about her role as Uhura, explaining what attracts her to the part and describing her meeting with original Uhura actress Nichelle Nichols. In another interview with Latina Magazine, however, Saldana discussed matters a little more… personal.
Saldana tells BlackFilm.com how she won the role of Uhura:
J.J. Abrams had expressed an interest in working with me and he had liked my work. For an actor, that’s all you need. That’s all you want. To get the acknowledgement and respect from your peers; and so I went out and met him. He then said, ‘I don’t need to see you anymore’ and I felt really good. I felt like I did it. I earned it.
Saldana also explained what attracts her to roles like that of Uhura:
I find myself looking for roles that are strong. I don’t feel that there are enough roles that resemble the American women nowadays in Hollywood. I’m not a feminist. Women are becoming filmmakers, directors, and writers, and writing things on how they see themselves. ‘Star Trek’ was no different… Look at Uhura. She’s a lieutenant on the Enterprise, where she’s an equal with everyone. She’s not just a woman. She’s in command just like everyone else is, with power and strength. I felt a mass appeal when I read the script and when J.J Abrams told me he wanted me to do it…
Saldana admitted that she had never watched Star Trek prior to being cast, but expresses admiration for the show’s longevity and its stars. In describing her meeting with original Uhura, actor Nichelle Nichols, Saldana stated:
I was able to sit down with her and she told me the whole story of how Uhura came to be and where they were going with her character, but it all fell into place the moment she walked into the door and auditioned for the part. She named the character herself and it was a special thing and she felt as an artist, she was going to make the part big.
In addition, Saldana notes that she “worked with Leonard Nimoy,” which may suggest that she shares some scenes with the actor. We already know that Chris Pine shares a few scenes with Nimoy, so anything is possible.
Saldana also briefly discussed her role on ‘Star Trek’ with Latina magazine.
It’s great to see an exotic face in sci-fi. Little girls who look like me, or who are Arab, Filipina, whatever, are going to go, ‘Oh, my God, we can be in space, too!
But enough about that… Saldana also told Latina the type of men she prefers (pay attention, guys!)
I’ve always gravitated toward men who praise women for their stubbornness and independence. The ones who couldn’t keep up, I just forget about them.
It also appears Saldana (who is currently in a relationship… dammit) won’t be working on ‘Star Trek’ on Valentine’s Day, as she’ll be a little… busy.
We’ll probably take advantage of the fact that everyone will be off doing their own thing, and we’ll just have lots of sex.
Sounds like a plan to us. :)
Zoe Saldana flashes a sultry smile at the “Cloverfield” premiere
For more from Saldana, check out Latina magazine and BlackFilm.com
Okay, I’ll pay you guys to get an interview with Zachary Quinto talking about sex.
As Woody Allen once opined, “gawd, I’d sell my mother to the Arabs for that woman!” :)
I think Woody Allen did.
#1
TRIPLE what Gina offers!
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
…at least it wasn’t an interview with George Takei talking about sex.
Brokeback Shuttlecraft
Star Trek Stuff,,,
did you know,, that from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 1991
that After filming was through one day nearing the end of production, Kim Cattrall posed nude for some steamy photos on the bridge set, but Leonard Nimoy happened on scene and seized the film, destroying it and having studio security toss the photographer out.
Boy I wish I saw those pics!
:-)
Dave: Word. And same goes double for Shatner and Nimoy.
LMAO thanks Dave I need a laugh!
#6 SirMartman “Kim Cattrall posed nude..”
I met Kim Cattrall once at a Genie Awards party in Toronto…it was the early 1980’s…..
Yes, she does like taking her clothes off, doesn’t she?
I didn’t think Kim Cattrell made such a hot vulcan, though I honestly have no idea why Leonard Nimoy would care that she was posing nude on the set.
#10
Yeah, you’re right…..having a nude Vulcan posing on the bridge of the Enterprise sends out such a classy message about Trek…….why would Nimoy object to THAT??!! :)
Not too be rude…. but… I’m geeking out right now.
she’s HOOO-OT. Then again, so is Nichelle. In fact if I remember straight, Nichelle was an early love of mine (I was 7)…
My wife wishes me to state that, I’m over any thought of Uhura, and that I hope Zoe is dressed in a floor length skirt throughout the entire movie.
i hope she has about 30 seconds of screen time…about 29 more than Chekov and 10 less than Sulu. This based on the average screen time from the typical series episode.
She seems like a sweetheart; that’s groovy. And definitely the right attitude for Uhura. Hope she gets an earpiece, but that may be too retro for the Abrams approach; not sure …
#6 SirMartman “Kim Cattrall posed nude..”
Maybe Nimoy didn’t like it because he wasnt the photographer? That was cutting into his piece of the action. If you catch my driftwood.
#13 Stanky McFibberich
I heart your conservativism, athough I mostly find you to be a complete party pooper of the highest colonic. I mean that in a very good way so dont take it wrong.
BEST!!
=h=
Hey at her forum on her official site, there’s short quicktime video of her.
http://www.zoesaldana.com/forum/
13. Stanky McFibberich – January 29, 2008
i hope she has about 30 seconds of screen time…about 29 more than Chekov and 10 less than Sulu. This based on the average screen time from the typical series episode.
The above post does not seem to reflect a negative bias towards the new movie. Stanky, are you losing your focus in your old age?
Me gusta su acento cuando habla espanol. Es Dominicana que no?
Ahorita, esa chica es mi latina favorita.
Wow, she looks EXACTLY like Nichelle Nichols in that last picture.
She nice looking, I can’t believe her part will be anything substantial though.
“Frequency Open, Sir!”
Don’t suppose it’ll be Kirk: “ok, landing party, Spock, Sulu, Scotty, Bones, Chekov, you’re with me, Lt. Uhura, you have the con.” Have her lead while the higher officers were in trouble would be ok with me :) Move over Janeway, you’re ass is getting a might fat.
#14 S. John Ross
I’m with you on the ‘earpiece’ prop. This is as important to recreating the character of Uhura as is the shortest mini-tunic possible…
#1
Right with you sister. Amen!
lol.
I just hope Uhura (+ Sulu, Chekov and Scotty) will have as much screentime and dialogue than Kirk, Spock and McCoy and will be AS important.
To me the “triad” of TOS was a weakness compared to the ensemble of TNG…
Am I the only one who feels old when cast members say they’ve never seen a Star Trek episode?
re: 17 Gary Sevenandthreequarters
“The above post does not seem to reflect a negative bias towards the new movie. Stanky, are you losing your focus in your old age?”
No, I’m just branching out.
@24 Odd. The strength of Star Trek was the triad compared to the weakness of the ensemble cast of TNG. The movies bear that out.
Besides once you get past Picard, Data, & perhaps Worf the rest of the ensemble was bland and interchangeable.
#1. Add my money ;)
#25
We ARE old compared to them. I saw the original in the first German broadcast in the 70’s and recorded some of the episode sound only on a cassette recorder ;)
That IS old.
@29 – Ha! I did sound recordings too!
hahaha # 2 and # 3.
Brilliant hahaha.
Re: #24: Alex, Alex, Alex…what are we going to do with you? :-)
Re: #29 & #30: Me three! And try doing it with 30 minute cassettes! Frustrating!
(Old Guy) Scott B. out.
#29, 30, 32. Me four. In fact, I am so old and so geeky that I recently digitized my old cassette collection, and now I can listen on my computer to fuzzy, hissy Doomsday Machine with my mom in the background cooking dinner.
Wow 29, 30, and 32 you were geeks! Well, me too. Roll on Realistic with 30 minute tapes. Trying to keep the silence of my sisters was the biggest challenge. I think I about wore out my old Star Wars dialog record LP too. Old, old, old.
Zoe in uniform, baby!
Bring back the Mini!
Even though I would have loved to see Thandie Newton in the role, I think Zoe is going to do a fine job now that I know how she’s approaching the character. She’s got spunk as well as Uhura’s timeless beauty.
#25 – CanuckLou
I don’t think it’s a matter of the cast being much younger but rather that maybe some of them were not really interested in sci-fi to begin with and therefore they had never watched Star Trek. I remember watching an interview with Jonathan Frakes – who’s much older than I am – in which he admitted that he knew nothing about Star Trek before he was offered the role.
In TOS Uhura basically sat at her station and said “hailing frequencies open” every now and then. While it wasnt very exciting for Nichelle Nichols, and was almost the reason she quit, it was the nature of Uhura’s character until the later movies came along.
It sounds like the new Uhura has been written/Seldana’s gonna play her as something she’s not, which I guess is to be expected with the way they’re handling the rest of Canon.
#30, #32, #34 – yay for cassettes! *G*
#34 – “Doomsday Machine” was great on cassette because the wacky special effects didn’t pull you away from the WONDERFUL dialog that episode has. It’s one of my favorites to this day.
#37 CTIII –
(Ronald Reagan voice): There you go again.
#37 – You’ can’t expect them to keep Uhura at the limited level, do you?? Uhura fans are looking forward to seeing more of her real potential, and not what was left when the TOS scripts were edited like hell due to time and money restraints. And even in the old series, Uhura can handle the circuits in her own console!
Personally, I hope all of the cast have some great, shiny moments. They sure have quality actors enough for that on board.
I just hope Zoe will hit the convention circuit now. I have a picture already of my daughter and I with Nichelle Nichols. We stood in line for what seemed like forever waiting to get the picture, so by the time it was our turn my poor 4 year old was crying her head off. Nichelle just looked at me and said, “Oh great, she’s going to look at this picture years from now and remember me as the old lady that made her cry”.
#39
bahaha!
Also, Saldana’s was in a movie called “Center Stage” with lots o’ screen time, rent that one to score some points with the girlfriend or wife as it’s not a bad chick flick, either :)
#24–While I fully expect Uhura to be a stronger female role than she was in TOS, I find the very comparison of Kirk/Spock/McCoy to the TNG “ensemble” frighteningly blastphemous!!! Nothing in any of the spinoffs remotely resembled the magic of the TOS big 3. Even the TNG cast has admitted as much. I found the TNG character dynamic to be rather boring, and not even as good as the one in DS9.
#37–Just because we were never shown a great deal of Uhura’s personality before, doesn’t mean she never had one. Now, if she was butt-ugly, couldn’t sing, did not like fuzzy furballs, and couldn’t make that defiant face she does when Khan’s henchman slaps her for being uncooperative—THAT would be a violation.
#37.
There is no canon. It was made up by fans. the true canon is that there isn’t any.
Just watch the show in ordr for proof.
I’m glad there is a producer willing to drag Trek into this century.
easy, Charles
#24
I don’t know where you get that from. The original series character interaction was always considered one of the strong aspects of the show.
The TNG spinoff relationships couldn’t hold a candle to the original.
mmmm Zoe.
That’s all . The rest is not safe for work, or this family friendly website.
She’s a great choice for Uhura- I wish her all the best.
Arrrr.. was Uhuru featured better in the films than in the show? I think so.
#37
I recall, on tha show, Uhuru darling having one spotlight episode wherein she fought on this odd triad-painted floor while glowing brains gambled. Oh, and Kirk kissed her. Oh, and she distracted evil Sulu.
Wait… maybe she did do a good deal of all matter fo things… she told Kirky boy about Jesus in Rome… sang a song to some drunken Irish crewman… brought the tribbles on board… and so on…
She was the last voice Kahn heard, right-o?
Who the hell was signaling ships on TNG? Worf? There’s a warm personality to growl “hi” on hailing frequencies.
Arrrr….
Arrrr.. was Uhuru featured better in the films than in the show? I think so.
#37
I recall, on tha show, Uhuru darling having one spotlight episode wherein she fought on this odd triad-painted floor while glowing brains gambled. Oh, and Kirk kissed her. Oh, and she distracted evil Sulu.
Wait… maybe she did do a good deal of all matter of things… she told Kirky boy about Jesus in Rome… sang a song to some drunken Irish crewman… brought the tribbles on board… and so on…
She was the last voice Kahn heard, right-o?
Who the hell was signaling ships on TNG? Worf? There’s a warm personality to growl “hi” on hailing frequencies.
Arrrr….