Kate Winslet and Zoe Saldaña recently reconnected, reflecting on their past collaboration in Avatar: The Way of Water and their upcoming roles in Avatar 3: Fire and Ash.
Winslet, known for her role in Titanic, joined the Avatar franchise as Ronal, a Na’vi shaman and warrior. Saldaña, who originated the role of Neytiri in the first Avatar film, expressed how rewarding it was to bring the Na’vi people to life with director James Cameron’s open collaboration and resources.
Both actresses are now starring in very different films. Winslet plays war photographer Lee Miller in Lee, a film about her groundbreaking work during World War II.
Saldaña stars in Emilia Pérez, an opera-based film about an attorney in Mexico helping a trans woman navigate her past and future.
Kate Winslet on ‘Lee’
Winslet’s passion for telling Lee Miller’s story stems from the fact that many people don’t know the woman behind iconic World War II photos. Miller, once a model, became a trailblazing photographer, often overshadowed by her male-dominated legacy.
Winslet wanted to shift the focus to Miller’s resilience, power, and courage. She also shared how she came to the project, purchasing a table from Miller’s home and later deciding to produce the film herself.
Zoe Saldaña on ‘Emilia Pérez’
Saldaña discussed her experience working on Emilia Pérez, a challenging opera film set in Mexico. She described how the role of Rita, a lawyer helping a woman transition, came to her through her agents.
Despite initial doubts, Saldaña found a deep connection with director Jacques Audiard and embraced the challenge of portraying such a complex character. She praised the opera format for giving depth to these women’s stories, allowing their fragility and strength to shine.
Both actresses also drew parallels between their characters’ journeys, noting how they each embody resilience and courage in the face of adversity.
