Zoe Saldaña has revealed which of her big movie hits has left a particularly bad memory.

Zoe Saldaña has revealed which major movie success left a particularly bad impression on her, despite its commercial triumph. The actress, known for her roles in blockbuster franchises such as Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Pirates of the Caribbean, has stated she will not return as Gamora in Avengers: Doomsday, set for release later this year. Her decision means that if Marvel wishes to reintroduce the character, they would have to cast another actress for the role. Saldaña’s career has been defined by her involvement in some of Hollywood's most successful and recognizable film series. Over the past two decades, she has appeared in four major franchise projects, including Avatar, directed by James Cameron; the new version of Star Trek helmed by J.J. Abrams; three Guardians of the Galaxy movies; and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, released in 2003. It was this last project that left her with a particularly negative memory. According to interviews with Time Magazine, Saldaña described her experience working on Pirates of the Caribbean as overwhelming and self-centered. She noted that the entire production environment felt excessive and ego-driven, leaving her with a bitter taste about Hollywood. Despite the film's massive box office success, earning nearly five times its $160 million budget, the experience did not sit well with her. The film, inspired by Disney's theme park attraction of the same name, featured a star-studded cast including Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Jonathan Pryce. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the movie became one of the most profitable films of all time. However, Saldaña’s time on the set was not marked by positive memories. Following the Pirates of the Caribbean project, Saldaña found herself in more favorable circumstances. Just a year after the film's release, Steven Spielberg cast her in the comedy Terminal, alongside Tom Hanks. This role helped restore her confidence and optimism about acting. “It was a great role,” she said. “It gave me my confidence back.” This renewed sense of self-assurance led her to take on a variety of notable roles over the years. In addition to blockbusters, she starred in comedies such as Death Race (2010) and dramas like Amsterdam (2022). In 2025, she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez (2024). Currently, Saldaña is engaged in multiple high-profile projects. She recently began filming the third season of the spy thriller Special Ops: Lioness, in which she plays the lead role. Additionally, she is working on the fifth installment of Avatar, scheduled for theatrical release in 2031. Earlier this year, she completed her scenes for the fourth Avatar sequel, set to debut in 2029. Her decision to step away from the Avengers universe marks a significant shift in her career trajectory. While she had previously played Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, she has since confirmed that she will not return to the role in Avengers: Doomsday. This move leaves the door open for another actress to take on the character, should Marvel choose to revisit the storyline.