Zoe Saldana has praised James Cameron for being "one of those rare men in the film industry" that doesn't feel "threatened" by women.
Zoe Saldana
Saldana has praised the 61-year-old filmmaker, who she teamed up with on the 'Avatar' movie and its sequels, and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' director J.J. Abrams for "practicing what they preach".
She said: "James Cameron is one of those rare men in the film industry that really isn't threatened by women. He lets you know with the characters he creates that he does spend time thinking about why women are who they are, why they think the way they do. He is aware of the sacrifices and how hard-working women can be.
"Look at the role J.J. Abrams created in the new 'Star Wars' movie. It's through the eyes of a female and we're not gonna compromise the strength of the movie. We're not gonna compromise her bravery.
"Filmmakers like J.J. Abrams and James Cameron - they're practicing what they preach, and they're having their art imitate the life that they see and the utopia they would like to bring to life. And they let you be as collaborative, as suggestive, as opinionated, as passionate ... I don't work to make friends; I don't work to be liked. I work to bring a character to life, to walk away not feeling that I'm a disappointment in myself."
And Zoe - who has 17-month-old twin boys Cy and Bowie with her husband Marco Perego - admits she would be "at the mercy of filmmakers" if she hadn't been cast in lead roles in 'Avatar' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.
She added to CNET.com: "If I wasn't doing these sci-fi movies, I would be at the mercy of filmmakers that would just look my way if they need a girlfriend or sexy woman of colour in their movie. But we can still do better. We can still give women more weight to carry in their roles."
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