Amanda Seyfried reveals why she turned down Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy—and why she was wrong
Amanda Seyfried has opened up about a career decision that still lingers in her mind—turning down the role of Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy.
The 39-year-old actress, who appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast on March 20, admitted that fear played a major role in her choice to pass on the 2014 Marvel blockbuster.
“Being a part of the first Marvel movie that bombs ain’t good for your career,” she confessed to host Josh Horowitz.
At the time, Seyfried believed that a film featuring a talking tree and a talking raccoon had disaster written all over it. She worried that if Guardians failed, both she and Chris Pratt—who played the lead role of Star-Lord—might never recover professionally.
“I thought that because this was about a talking tree and a talking raccoon it was gonna be Marvel’s first bomb and that Chris Pratt and I would never work again. I was wrong,” she admitted.
The film, directed by James Gunn, went on to become a massive hit, grossing over $773 million worldwide and launching one of Marvel’s most beloved franchises.
Seyfried now acknowledges Gunn’s brilliance, calling him “a genius, fun, and a wonderful filmmaker.”
However, it wasn’t just the film’s concept that scared her off—the makeup process also played a role in her decision.
“I was really scared of the idea of being stuck and painted a different colour,” she revealed.
She recalled hearing horror stories from actors working on the X-Men films, who spent hours in the makeup chair to transform into their characters. Since she trained with the same fitness coach as several X-Men actors, she was well aware of the grueling process.
Ultimately, the role of Gamora went to Zoe Saldana, who embraced the challenge and became a key figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Saldana’s portrayal of the fierce green-skinned warrior has earned widespread acclaim, and she recently won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Pérez.
While Seyfried may have missed out on a Marvel legacy, she has built an impressive career in her own right, starring in Oscar-nominated films like Mank and Les Misérables, and earning an Emmy for her role in The Dropout.
Though she once feared the risk, Seyfried can now reflect on her decision with clarity:
“I was way too scared. I was at a precarious moment in my career, and I didn’t want to suffer for the work,” she admitted.
One thing is certain—while she may not be in the MCU, Amanda Seyfried’s career is far from a ‘bomb’.
