Zoe Saldana Returns To 'Avatar,' Sequel Announced

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, January 16, 2014

Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington are both set to return for the James Cameron's sequel to "Avatar."

The blockbuster sci-fi film swept the box office upon its release in 2009, and fans are rejoicing over the sequel news this week.

Worthington will reprise his role as Jake Sully in the film, while Saldana is set to portray Neytiri once more.

"[Worthington's] Jake Sully is a rare combination of passion, strength, street smarts and soul, which requires a lot from an actor," the film's director James Cameron said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. "Sam brought to the role a combination of sensitivity, vulnerability and strength."

As for Saldana, the famed director also heaped ample praise upon her portrayal of Neytiri.

"Zoe captured every aspect of the character I envisioned, bringing to Neytiri a mix of delicacy, fierceness and incredible physicality," he said. "I am beyond pleased they'll be returning with us to Pandora."

Furthermore, Cameron said the "Avatar" sequel will boast even more impressive special affects this time around.

"It's going to be a lot of new imagery, and a lot of new environments and creatures across Pandora," he said, according to AP. "We're blowing it out all over the place. At first I thought I was going to take it onto other worlds as well, in the same solar system, but it turned out not to be necessary."

The original "Avatar" was offered in 3-D, earning over $2.8 billion worldwide.

"I mean, the Pandora that we have imagined will be a fantasy land that is going to occupy people for decades to come, the way I see it," the director confidently added.

Meanwhile, Saldana remains busy both professionally with "Avatar" and in her personal life- the actress just tied the knot with Italian artist Marco Perego.

However, the actress only opened up her marriage nearly five months after the June wedding, acknowledging it while on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

"Thank you, thank you," the 35-year-old starlet said in response to Kimmel's congratulations.

Later on, Saldana revealed she got married in England.