In the midst of a long wait, we have now reached the final weeks leading up to James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water. In an effort to promote the film, stars such as Zoe Saldaña, who appears as the Na'vi leader Neytiri are engaging in press tours and interviews in anticipation of the movie's premiere. In a recent interview with Screen Rant, the actress explained the interesting correlations and contrasts between two of her leading characters: Gamora and Neytiri. Saldaña specifically addressed how both characters view family and how, despite rocky backgrounds, their individual experiences have been different.
"I think that the similarities between them is that their worlds have been robbed; they have been taken from their world, and they’re forced into a life of just ‘war’. And that’s maybe not, may have not been the natural course of life, had they had the right to choose. Differences, I think that Gamora is a lot more resolved with making, finding her inner peace. Whereas Neytiri finds herself in just chapter two of a very long journey with her anger and her inability to understand. "
Neytiri and Gamora Saw Similar Upbringings
During their childhoods, Neytiri and Gamora both struggled with conflicts with strangers who invaded their homes. However, in contrast to Gamora, who was separated from her family before forming a new relationship with the Guardians, Neytiri was a leader who fell in love with the outsider Jake Sully who eventually became a member of the Na'vi.
"Neytiri is not a voice of reason, she’s an instinct. She’s a force of instinct and gut. And that’s why her and Jake are absolutely just essential to each other. And he’s essential to her, and she leans on him for so much. Even while she is wrestling him on everything. And he has to have so much patience."
Unlike Gamora, Neytiri is passionate over rational in her choices, but both possess a matriarchal sphere of influence in their stories. This can be explained by the fact that the Na'vi are intimately connected to the environment. During the upcoming Avatar movie, the relationship progression between Neytiri and Jake (Sam Worthington) will likely be determined by the balance between their emotional and logical viewpoints, respectively.
Even though Gamora also possessed a strong sense of family loyalty, she was a more rational leader alongside Peter Quill. Ultimately, both characters display very distinct, yet equally powerful leadership styles that emphasize family values. Although Gamora's final appearance could be on the horizon with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie, Neytiri's story takes a different turn in Avatar: The Way Of Water.