Saldana 'dreamed of working on Avatar'

Zoe Saldana has revealed that she dreamed of working alongside James Cameron long before being cast in his sci-fi epic Avatar.

The 32-year-old actress, who played Na'vi warrior Neyteri in the multi-billion-dollar grossing movie, told Bang Showbiz that she had always admired the Oscar-winning director for creating movies that leave a lasting impression on audiences.

Speaking of her Avatar casting, she said: "They chose me right away, the first one in the cast. I didn't know what to expect but I was totally thrilled because I've always held James Cameron in great esteem.

"I think it's ingenious how, even in films with spectacular special effects, he always manages to include the human side and a positive message."

"Also he has brought wonderful female characters to the screen," she added. "Like Linda Hamilton in The Terminator and Sigourney Weaver in Aliens."

Avatar recently underwent a limited re-release with nine minutes of additional footage, which included an alien sex scene.