Zoe Saldana criticises 'elitist' actors who look down on Marvel movies

Tom Butler
·Editor, Yahoo Entertainment UK
Zoe Saldana, a cast member in “Live by Night,” poses at the premiere of the film at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Zoe Saldana, a cast member in “Live by Night,” poses at the premiere of the film at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Avengers: Infinity War star Zoe Saldana has called out certain ‘elitist’ actors who look down their noses at superhero movies.

Speaking to Net-A-Porter in a new interview, the 39-year-old star who made her Marvel debut as Gamora in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, said: “I’ve been in rooms with people in this industry who are great at what they do, but they’re absolutely elitist and they look down at movies like the Marvel films or actors like myself.

“They think we’re selling out in some way.”

This image released by Disney-Marvel shows Zoe Saldana, from left, Karen Gillan, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista and Rocket, voiced by Bradley Cooper, in a scene from, “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2.” (Disney-Marvel via AP)
This image released by Disney-Marvel shows Zoe Saldana, from left, Karen Gillan, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista and Rocket, voiced by Bradley Cooper, in a scene from, “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2.” (Disney-Marvel via AP)

Who exactly Saldana is referring to is not yet clear, but the actress who returns as the green-skinned daughter of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, wholeheartedly defended the comic book genre, saying they hold an important place in the lives of children.

“Every time they speak I feel so disappointed in them, because whenever you see pictures of people in this industry who donate their time to children in need, it’s these actors that live in the world that you feel is selling out.”

Bryce and I had the tremendous pleasure of spending some time with our new buddy Elle and a few other patients at Great Ormand Street Children's Hospital in London. I'll never fail to be moved by the unbreakable spirit of a child. #godisgood Psalm 107:8-9 Let them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men! For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good. ♥️ No doubt. Today my longing and hungry soul is filled.

A post shared by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on May 9, 2017 at 5:54am PDT

“Those elitists should be a little more cognizant about what playing a superhero means to a young child. Because you’re not just dissing me, you’re dissing what that child considers important in their world.”

The actress who also starred in James Cameron’s Avatar, and will return for the sequels, added that she’s proud to play fantastical characters who young people look up to.

“I remember what it was like to be young and to feel completely excluded out of the mainstream conversation of life because I was just little and unimportant and ‘other’.”

Avengers: Infinity War arrives in UK cinemas on 26 April. Watch the latest TV spot below.

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