AMANDA SEYFRIED EXPLAINS GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY REJECTION

Amanda Seyfried has said she turned down the role of Gamora in Marvel’s 2014 film *Guardians of the Galaxy* because she feared a failed film could harm her career. Speaking at a SAG-AFTRA Foundation question-and-answer session, Seyfried said the decision had seemed clear at the time. “This will ruin my career if this is bad,” she recalled thinking. She doubted a space adventure featuring a talking tree and raccoon would succeed. Zoe Saldaña subsequently took the role.

The film’s reported box-office ranking placed it third among releases in 2014. It led to two sequels, and members of its cast also appeared in the *Avengers* films. Seyfried said she had been “wrong” about the film’s prospects but did not regret her decision. “I made it for myself. I made it for my family that I knew I wanted to have,” she said.

Seyfried said she did not want to spend long periods in a make-up trailer. She also said she disliked stunts and heights and found it difficult to act while imagining the world around her. Saldaña has said she is leaving the role of Gamora and hopes another actor will play the character. “I can’t wait to see what’s next for Gamora,” Saldaña said.