The actress is up for her first Oscar nomination this year.
Here are her best performances to date.
But of course, even bigger things were on the actress horizon.
Zoe Saldana through the years.Credit:Columbia Pictures;Shanna Besson/PAGE 114;Marvel
Today, Saldana is a franchise icon three times over.
Saldana has become one of Hollywoods most successful actors by playing tough, rugged, complicated characters.
On screen, however, its not hard to see the future action star she would become.
Zoe Saldana in From Scratch.Stefano Montesi/Netflix
Ultimately, she couldn’t deny the power of the words.
It was the most exciting thing I had read in a long time,Saldana told EW in 2023.
Taylor has incredible writing and his monologues are quite powerful.
Zoe Saldana in The Book of Life.20th Century Studios
Judith Scott, meanwhile, takes onKatharine Hepburns old part.
But Saldanas Theresa, the one bringing this young man to dinner, is the glue.
And yet Saldana shines inCrossroadsas Kit, the lovesick best friend of Spears Lucy.
Zoe Saldana in Pirates of the Caribbean.Elliott Marks/Walt Disney
A love interest, sure but only on her terms.
A heroine, yes but one with a dark side.
After all, her fatherisThanos (Josh Brolin).
Zoe Saldana in Lioness.Lynsey Addario/Paramount+
Saldana always tried to make the most of the character and find her human center.
Arguably, her most overlooked role is Laila, Nick Cannon’s no-B.S.
The character was far from your typical lovesick girlfriend.
Zoe Saldana in Guess Who.Columbia/Regency Enterprises/Kobal/Shutterstock
In lesser hands, the love interest role could have been a thankless one.
But Saldana, never one to be constrained, made it her own, exuding authority beyond her years.
Laila isnt passively charmed by this hotshot drummer, shes too self-possessed for that.
Zoe Saldana in The Adam Project.Doane Gregory/Netflix
In Saldana’s hands, Laila always feels in charge, demanding Devons and our respect.
I never stopped being her, even when I went off to do other things…
It was hard for me to take off my helmet when we were done.
Zoe Saldana in Crossroads.Paramount/Getty
In retrospect, this is classic Saldana.
In a film full of memorable lines, Evas Did you go to a special bitch academy or something?
Thankfully, Saldana was up to the task.
Zoe Saldana in Guardians of the Galaxy.Jay Maidment/Marvel
In taking over the role of Uhura inJ.J.
Abrams relaunchedStar Trek, she channels Nichols' energy while bringing her own to the role.
The role also changed the path of her own career.
Zoe Saldana in Drumline.Fox 2000/Kobal/Shutterstock
Where to watchStar Trek: Paramount+
Zoe Saldana in Emilia Perez.PAGE 114 - WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - PATHÉ FILMS - FRANCE 2 CINÉMA
Zoe Saldana in Center Stage.Columbia Pictures/Getty
Zoe Saldana in Star Trek.Paramount Pictures/Shutterstock
