Summary
- Zoe Saldana revitalized the character of Lieutenant Uhura in the Star Trek reboot, giving her a backstory and a first name.
- Saldana's strong-willed portrayal of Uhura made her a fan favorite, and her roles in popular franchises like Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy have made her one of Hollywood's highest-grossing actresses.
- Despite controversy over the romance subplot between Uhura and Spock, Saldana would be open to reprising her role in a potential Star Trek 4.
Lieutenant Nyota Uhura for all three reboot films. Before Star Trek 2009, Lieutenant Uhura had been played by Nichelle Nichols in Star Trek: The Original Series and the subsequent Star Trek films. Celia Rose Gooding portrays the young Ensign Uhura of the Prime Universe in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but Lieutenant Uhura owes much of her progress in the last two decades to Zoe Saldana, who gave Uhura a backstory—and even a first name - in the Kelvin Timeline.
Though her portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura is highly credited for newer the Star Trek 4, Saldana's career shows no signs of stopping. Much of her success is thanks to her part in Star Trek 2009 and the popularity of her version of a beloved Star Trek character.
What Zoe Saldaña Has Done Since Star Trek Beyond
In addition to playing Star Trek's Lt. Nyota Uhura, Zoe Saldaña stars in two of the biggest film franchises of all time.
Zoe Saldana Played Lt. Nyota Uhura in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Movies
Saldana reimagined a young Uhura.
In Star Trek 2009, Uhura got a first name, Nyota, and became a full Starfleet officer, complete with fleshed-out characterization and narratives. In Star Trek: The Original Series, Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) was the show's main female representation, but she rarely had solo narratives and was often used as a device to further the development of male characters. However, Zoe Saldana's strong-willed portrayal of Uhura was more rounded. She quickly became a fan-favorite for her no-nonsense attitude, confidence, and empathy, and Saldana claims that Uhura's "androgynous essence" in Star Trek 2009 contributed to the character's popularity.
Alongside Star Trek, Saldana also appeared in James Cameron's 2009 film Avatar, the highest-grossing film of all time. Her character in Avatar, a native Na'vi named Neytiri, was another tough but lovable female character. A few years later, Saldana appeared as Gamora in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, earning her a spot in the Avengers canon and major roles in subsequent Marvel films. Overall, the films Saldana has appeared in have grossed more than $15 billion worldwide. As of 2024, Saldana is the second-highest-grossing film actress behind Scarlett Johansson and the fourth-highest-paid actor of all time.
The Avengers and Avatar franchises are both available to stream on Disney+.
Zoe Saldana’s Uhura & Zachary Quinto’s Spock’s Star Trek Romance Was Controversial
Spock and Uhura was not a popular pairing.
While Zoe Saldana's Lieutenant Nyota Uhura revitalized love for the iconic Star Trek character, the rebooted Star Trek series' romance subplot between Uhura and Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto) was controversial. Star Trek 2009 implies that Uhura and Spock had been romantically involved before the film's events. When the Romulan adversary Nero (Eric Bana) destroys Vulcan, Uhura comforts Spock, and the pair kiss several times throughout the film. Despite J.J. Abrams' reboot films taking place in the Kelvin alternate universe that breaks off from the Star Trek timeline, many fans argue that this romance defied The Original Series' canon.
Spock and Uhura took on the role of adding romance to the Star Trek reboot franchise, but some fans argue they lacked chemistry.
Lieutenant Uhura and Commander Spock's romance continues flourishing Star Trek: Into Darkness but it was over in Star Trek: Beyond. Though it remained controversial, Uhura and Spock's relationship provided all three Star Trek films with romance that didn't involve Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), which was a different take from the womanizer version of Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series. Kirk was free to explore his place in Starfleet instead of having a love interest while Spock and Uhura took on the role of adding romance to the reboot franchise, but some fans argue they lacked chemistry.
Zoe Saldana Would Return As Uhura For Star Trek 4
Saldana wants to return to the Starship Enterprise
Star Trek 4, the long-delayed next installment of J.J. Abrams' reboot franchise, was meant to be released in theaters in 2023. However, differences among the film's many creative teams and scheduling issues with some of the cast prevented the film from even being filmed. In the last few years, Star Trek 4 has seen a handful of big-name directors sign on but ultimately exit the project, and it remains unclear if the movie will ever happen.
Star Trek 2009 Cast & Character Guide
J.J. Abrams' Star Trek relaunched the movie franchise and reintroduced audiences to Captain Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise.
Despite the delays, Star Trek 4 has to happen in 2026 to celebrate Star Trek's 60th anniversary, as of 2024, the film has not been given a release date or filming schedule.
Star Trek
- Release Date
- May 8, 2009
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
Cast
WHERE TO WATCH
J.J. Abrams' 2009 movie Star Trek rebooted the iconic sci-fi franchise in a totally new timeline. When a Romulan ship travels back in time and alters the past, the lives of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the future crew of the USS Enterprise are drastically changed. In this new timeline, the Romulan Nero (Eric Bana) sets out for revenge on Spock, setting off a chain of events that reshape the entire universe.
Your comment has not been saved
Star Trek Into Darkness
- Release Date
- May 16, 2013
- Runtime
- 132 minutes
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
Cast
Captain James T. Kirk
Commander Spock
WHERE TO WATCH
Star Trek Into Darkness follows Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise as they return home to find their organization under threat from a force within. Kirk leads a mission to apprehend a formidable adversary, navigating personal and professional challenges during this pivotal confrontation.
Your comment has not been saved
Star Trek Beyond
- Release Date
- July 22, 2016
- Runtime
- 122 minutes
- Director
- Justin Lin
Cast
WHERE TO WATCH
In the Kelvin timeline of Star Trek Films, Captain James Tiberius Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the U.S.S. Enterprise crew return to fight a new enemy who puts everything they and the Federation stand for to the ultimate test. This third installment of the rebooted Star Trek films marked the 50th anniversary of the classic sci-fi franchise.
Your comment has not been saved