Zoe Saldaña reveals that her Marvel dream of exploring the complex sisterhood of Gamora and Nebula remains unfulfilled in the Guardians of the Galaxy.
In the vast, celestial tapestry of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where heroes and anti-heroes collide in epic battles and cosmic adventures, there’s a tale of sisterhood that remained untold, a story that Zoe Saldaña yearned to see on the silver screen. As the curtains close on James Gunn’s final Marvel masterpiece, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it’s also a farewell to Saldaña’s iconic role as Gamora, leaving behind a trail of stardust and unfulfilled wishes.
For nearly a decade, Zoe Saldaña has breathed life into Gamora, the assassin-daughter of the infamous Thanos, entangled in a love story with Star-Lord and entwined with the complex web of family ties that bind her to Nebula. But, as revealed in Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on Disney+, there was one Marvel project that forever remained a distant dream for the actress – a project that would explore the intricate and captivating sisterhood of Gamora and Nebula.
Zoe Saldana’s Cosmic Dream of Sisterhood Spin-Off
Saldaña’s heartfelt desire was to witness “a spin-off based on that sisterhood.” She craved to delve into the depths of a relationship that was as complex as it was controversial. From their first appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, where their sibling rivalry was laden with hostility, to their evolution into a genuine family who had overcome their shared childhood trauma, their journey was nothing short of extraordinary.
In Saldaña’s eyes, the power of Nebula and Gamora’s story lay in its relatability. It was a testament to the resilience of siblings who had weathered the storm together, emerging stronger through their kinship. The actress highlighted that while she might not have personal experience in troubled sibling dynamics, there were countless real-life stories of brothers and sisters who had survived life’s hardships because of their unbreakable bond.
Saldaña’s dream of a spin-off wasn’t a solitary wish. In the past, during the promotion of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” both Zoe Saldaña and Karen Gillan, who portrays Nebula, responded with enthusiasm to the idea of a Gamora and Nebula buddy-cop adventure, whimsically titled “Sisters of Justice.” Their on-screen sisterhood had transcended the boundaries of the script, forging a genuine connection between the two actresses.
Karen Gillan, in the Marvel Studios Assembled documentary, spoke of their unique bond, saying,
Me and Zoe are so bonded through the experience of playing these characters. It’s crazy. Like we feel really protective over the sister relationship and how it’s portrayed on screen and it just really matters to both of us. It’s something that we just connected with a lot. And over the years, it’s resulted in a really special bond between the two of us.
Director James Gunn acknowledged the evolution of these two sisters, particularly in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Nebula, he noted, had grown up significantly and was, in many ways, the leader of the Guardians due to Star-Lord’s emotional struggles. Their roles had shifted since their introduction in the first film, reflecting the growth and transformation of their characters.
Gamora and Nebula’s Powerhouse Sisterhood
While the Guardians of the Galaxy films are known for their vibrant humor, cosmic escapades, and colorful characters, it’s the depth of the relationships, especially that of Gamora and Nebula, that grounds the franchise in humanity. Theirs is a story of grief, forgiveness, growth, and the creation of a family they had never known. As Saldaña aptly puts it, “There are siblings out there that have had troubled lives at home”, and through this narrative, audiences have witnessed the healing power of sisterhood.
It’s indeed regrettable that fans never got to witness the spin-off or dedicated project that Saldaña longed for. However, James Gunn’s portrayal of Nebula and Gamora remains a poignant and complete story, adding another layer of depth to the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
As we bid adieu to this era of Marvel magic, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is available to stream on Disney+, a testament to the enduring legacy of Zoe Saldaña’s Gamora and the unfulfilled wish for a deeper exploration of the cosmic sisterhood that captured our hearts.