AVATAR

Zoe Saldana Net Worth 2023: What Is The Actress Worth?

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Zoe Saldana is more than a mere household name; she is a brand, a force in Hollywood that merges grace, grit, and glamour with enviable finesse. Her roles traverse galaxies, times, and realities, encapsulating an artist’s dream portfolio. From fighting off galactic foes in Avatar to mastering martial arts in Colombiana, each frame she inhabits becomes a canvas for her larger-than-life abilities. And the world has taken note. According to Sportskeeda, her net worth sits at an impressive $40 million.

Soaring To Galactic Heights: Roles & Recognition

zoe saldana
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Zoe Saldana attends the “Avatar: The Way of Water” world premiere at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on December 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images)

Saldana made her first TV appearance in an episode of Law & Order in 1999. It was a modest start, but every odyssey begins with a single step. Roles in films like Center Stage and Crossroads followed, but it wasn’t until she landed the role of Uhura in the 2009 Star Trek reboot that her star truly began to shine. And let’s not forget her transformation into the blue-skinned Na’vi, Neytiri, in James Cameron’s Avatar. Saldana wasn’t just playing roles; she was creating new cinematic languages. The actress then proceeded to become part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, proving that she indeed is the queen of the universe, if not universes.

Balancing Stardom & The Domestic Scene: Personal Tidbits

zoe saldana
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Marco Perego and Zoe Saldana attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

In her personal life, Saldana is as stable as she is successful. She’s married to artist Marco Perego, and the couple has three children. They aim to create a gender-neutral environment for their kids, a reflection of her own views on equality and diversity. This is a woman who knows how to balance planetary conquest with school runs, which is nothing short of extraordinary.

Beyond The Silver Screen: Ventures & Compassionate Acts

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) Ludacris, Matt Damon, Jeremy Allen White, and Zoe Saldaña attend The World’s Most Fascinating Dinner by Stella Artois at Hall des Lumières on September 21, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Stella Artois)

One might assume that conquering galaxies would be enough, but Saldana continues to stretch her influence into business and philanthropy. Through her media company, Cinestar Pictures, she creates content that elevates the stories and experiences of Latinx and other underrepresented communities. She’s also an advocate for several causes, including mental health awareness and immigration rights. So, who is Zoe Saldana? She’s a versatile actress, a loving mother, a savvy entrepreneur, and a dynamic activist. Put, she’s a modern-day Renaissance woman with a net worth of $40 million, according to Sportskeeda.

The post Zoe Saldana Net Worth 2023: What Is The Actress Worth? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

James Cameron To Direct Hiroshima Movie Before “Avatar 4”

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James Cameron’s latest box office smash hit Avatar: The Way of Water continues to make waves. The next three Avatar films are already in the works. However, Cameron has additional plans. A report from the LA Times shared that Cameron has another project in his lineup. He’s set to make a film adaptation of the book, The Last Train From Hiroshima: The Survivors Look Back. Charles R. Pellegrino wrote the book, which tells stories of the Japanese Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings during the events of World War II. However, the story is told from the perspectives of survivors.

Initially, Cameron was interested in adapting this story as a film in 2010. He visited and interviewed Tsutomu Yamaguchi to prepare for the film. Yamaguchi was the only known survivor that was present in the bombings in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Eventually, Yamaguchi passed away soon after meeting with Cameron. Since then, no one has made a film adaptation of Pellegrino’s book. However, Cameron decided to dedicate his time to the Avatar sequels, so he shelved the movie about the bombings.

James Cameron’s New Project

James Cameron attends the 21st Annual VES Awards at The Beverly Hilton on February 15, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

However, after all these years, there is hope for the Hiroshima film. Cameron recently revealed that he will take some time off before the production of Avatar 4. During this time, Cameron will supposedly work on the Hiroshima movie. He mentioned the importance of the film during these times. For example, the war in Ukraine and the recent resurgence of nationalism worldwide make the film relevant today. Cameron said, “We live in a more precarious world than we thought we did. I think the Hiroshima film would be as timely as ever, if not more so. It reminds people what these weapons really do when they’re used against human targets.”

This would not be the first of Cameron’s films to return from the depths of development. For example, Avatar was initially written in 1994 but shelved due to technological restraints of the decade. The Hiroshima movie is in early stages of development. There are no casting or filming announcements yet. Details are limited until production begins. However, Cameron’s commitment to the film makes it clear that this could be Cameron’s first non-Avatar film since Titanic in 1997.

[Via]

The Weeknd Recalls How “Avatar” Helped Him Through “Darkest Time” Of His Life

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The latest Avatar film has sparked a wave of controversy, but The Weeknd remembers how the first film changed his life. Avatar: The Way of the Water has been at the center of backlash after production was accused of appropriating real-life Indigenous cultures and perpetuating racist stereotypes. As those conversations continue, The Weeknd has also been praised for partnering with Swedish House Mafia and composer Simon Frenglen to create the movie’s theme, “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength).”

The Hollywood Reporter caught up with the House of Balloons hitmaker, and Weeknd explained how the original 2009 film changed him. “That was probably the darkest time of my life,” he said.

Read More: Indigenous Communities Bash New “Avatar” For Racist Stereotypes

The Weeknd recalled dropping out of school and being homeless. “I didn’t know if I was going to succeed as a musician.”

He further stated, “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to live to see tomorrow. And I remember I somehow got to see the film in theaters. I don’t know how I got in. It was such an escape from my real life that the film is tattooed in my brain.”

Within a few years, the Canadian icon’s life would shift as his career took off. When James Cameron reached out to The Weeknd to contribute to the soundtrack, it was a no-brainer. Now, “Nothing Is Lost” has been shortlisted for Best Original Song at this year’s upcoming Academy Awards.

Read More: “Avatar: The Way Of Water” Opens With $130M-$150M At Box Office

He additionally said, “They told me they had one name on the list to do the song, and it was me. It feels kismet, and it’s a full-circle moment for me to be a part of something like this.” It was “because it is such an important film for me.”

During the chat, THR asked The Weeknd about winning a Grammy for Kanye West’s “Hurricane.” That year, the singer didn’t submit his own music for consideration. His album After Hours was a record-breaking hit, but The Recording Academy previously snubbed the project and its singles.

“Again, I’m just grateful. Any kind of recognition, I’m grateful for it. I’m just happy to be in the conversation.”

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They Said ‘Avatar’ Has No Cultural Impact, But Now Lizzo Is Doing Na’vi Thirst Traps And We Don’t Know What To Believe

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Lizzo SNL Saturday Night Live 2022
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The original 2009 Avatar movie and the new Avatar: The Way Of Water film are both major hits. Box office numbers don’t lie. Regardless, there have been questions about what cultural impact the series (the first movie, more specifically) has actually had. Of course, this discourse is all subjective, but if Avatar didn’t have impact, then why is Lizzo on the beach doing Na’vi thirst traps?

In a TikTok video shared today (January 9), the right half of the frame shows a female Na’vi walking on the beach. On the left is Lizzo, doing a spot-on imitation of the character in a clip that was Avatar-ized with a video filter. She later shared another video of herself with the filter, enjoying some time in the water. “tell James Cameron I’m ready…,” she captioned the second video.

@lizzo

#duet with @lizzo yes i saved this video.. uploaded it private…then duetted myself… 🤭

♬ original sound – lizzo

@lizzo

Replying to @g6brie1 tell James Cameron I’m ready…

♬ Becoming one of “The People” Becoming one with Neytiri – James Horner

Hey, James Cameron: Lizzo is ready.

Speaking of Cameron, he addressed the “cultural impact” conversation in a recent interview, saying, “There’s skepticism in the marketplace around, ‘Oh, did it ever make any real cultural impact? Can anybody even remember the characters’ names?’ When you have extraordinary success, you come back within the next three years. That’s just how the industry works. You come back to the well, and you build that cultural impact over time. Marvel had maybe 26 movies to build out a universe, with the characters cross-pollinating. So it’s an irrelevant argument. We’ll see what happens after this film.”

Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Indigenous Communities Bash New “Avatar” For Racist Stereotypes

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“Avatar: The Way of Water” is still fresh in theatres, but it’s continuing to make headlines for its allegedly racist tropes.

Indigenous communities are speaking out about the series’ second instalment. Many are accusing the film of continuing to glamorize colonialism.

Citizens walk by a poster of film ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ at a cinema on December 16, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Hou Yu/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

The first movie, directed by James Cameron, was released in 2009 to critical acclaim. It was praised upon its release because of the 3D effects and editing. At the time, the use of this kind of technology was monumental.

However, critics and movie-watchers alike were quick to point out the film’s dangerous portrayal of Native stereotypes.

According to an article by The Washington Post, Indigenous critics say that no progress has been made since the original. They say that the problematic flaws present in the first movie reappear in its follow-up.

Within the science fiction films, the alien species called Na’vi are reportedly inspired by real Indigenous tribes around the world. The Maori, who are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, are allegedly the inspiration behind “The Way of Water.”

Additionally, some are calling for the boycott of the movie due to some racist remarks made by Cameron 12 years ago. In 2010, he allegedly said that the Lacota people should have fought harder against colonialism.

New Movie, Same Stereotypes

Although Cameron vowed to make an effort in improving the second movie in these ways, it appears as though it still embraces racial stereotypes. Furthermore, the plot is being accused of romanticizing colonialism and downplaying the real-life suffering of Indigenous communities.

Regardless of the backlash, the film has still managed to be successful in its first week. According to reports, it made $53 million on its opening day. However, its three-day earnings are $130M-$150M, slightly below predictions.

Cameron, or anyone else from the movie’s production, have yet to make a comment.

Have you seen the new Avatar? If so, do you think the series should be boycotted? Comment down below.

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The Weeknd Sets Off ‘Avatar 2’s Release With The Uplifting ‘Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)’

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The Weeknd’s Avatar 2: The Way Of Water soundtrack single “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” is now available to stream after being teased a few weeks ago.

It’s a big, dramatic, epic song, full of tribal chants and drums, soaring strings, and emotive, uplifting lyrics — as befits the centerpiece song of the big, dramatic, epic comeback sequel of a big, dramatic, epic hit movie from visionary director James Cameron. Thematically, it follows what we know of the movie’s plot so far, emphasizing loyalty, togetherness, and faith in the connections between people to overcome any obstacle. That appears to be what the film’s protagonists will be relying on as militaristic factions pursue the Na’vi implant Jake Sully and his family across the surface of Pandora — and apparently, into its oceans.

As for Abel himself, he recently wrapped the North American leg of his world tour after avoiding disaster when his voice gave out during his Los Angeles show. He’ll be headed overseas for the European swing next summer. Meanwhile, he said he’s been contemplating pulling his 2012 compilation Trilogy from streamers, citing a desire to replace it with the breakout mixtapes (House Of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes Of Silence) of which it was comprised. Certainly, it’d be a fun way to get fans of his over-the-top pop-leaning output from the past few years familiar with the drugged-out, ominous vibes he once embraced. Who’d ever have thought that guy would be contributing to an Avatar soundtrack (or that Avatar would have a sequel)?

Check out “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” above.

The Weeknd’s Upcoming Song ‘Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)’ Will Be On The ‘Avatar 2’ Soundtrack

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the weeknd new song
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The long-awaited (by some, I guess) sequel to James Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar, Avatar 2: The Way Of Water is coming to theaters this month and today, we learned some intriguing news about the film’s accompanying soundtrack. In addition to the film’s score, the soundtrack will also feature a new song from The Weeknd, titled “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength).” Produced by Swedish House Mafia and the film’s composer Simon Franglen, the song is due for release on December 15 at 12 pm PT. The film itself will hit theaters the next day.

The Weeknd previously teased his connection to the upcoming sequel, leading to speculation about his role in the film’s soundtrack. The whole arrangement may give music fans deja vu after a similar rollout for Rihanna’s new song “Lift Me Up” from the Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. If this is the new trend, here’s a free idea for any movie studios out there looking to release any more sequels to decade-old blockbusters: we haven’t heard from Ariana Grande in while. Just saying.

“Nothing Is Lost” provides quite the cap for The Weeknd’s major 2022, which included the After Hours stadium tour, the announcement of a new HBO show, The Idol, coming in 2023, and even his own maze at Universal Studios’ Hollywood Horror Nights on Halloween.