In another Marvel Cinematic Universe, Amanda Seyfried could’ve been Gamora in the “Guardians Of The Galaxy” films. But the actress followed her gut, leaving Zoe Saldaña free to tackle the role.
Seyfriend talked about the potential casting when she stopped by the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast for a new episode. And despite liking James Gunn from their in-person meeting for the 2014 film, the actress had to listen to her internal reservations. “It was a really giant opportunity,” said the actress. “I had just met James in person. He’s a wonderful person. Apparently, somebody said he didn’t remember it or it wasn’t true and I was like, ‘it’s definitely true, and I definitely got the offer for it, and I definitely mulled over it for a couple days.’ But I don’t know. I didn’t want to live in London for six months out of the year, for whatever reason.”
Seyfried had other enticing roles on the table, too, which made her more wary of “Guardians,” which she felt may have ended Marvel’s first flop. “There was another movie I really wanted to do with Seth McFarlane called “A Million Ways To Die In The West,” it felt like a really good opportunity,” she continued. “I didn’t want to be blue [like Jennifer Lawrence‘s Mystique in the “X-Men” films]. But let’s also remember, being part of the first Marvel movie that bombs ain’t good for your career. I thought because this was about a talking tree and a talking raccoon that it was going to be Marvel’s first bomb and that Chris Pratt and I would never work again. I was wrong.”
Ultimately, Seyrfried turned down the offer to play Gamora, and she doesn’t regret it. “I was just being smart, not brave. And you know what? James Gunn is a genius and he’s fun and he’s a wonderful filmmaker and he can actually make anything work, but I was way too scared,” the actress went on. “I was at a precarious moment in my career and I didn’t want to suffer for the work. And I [thought] being there for four and a half hours every morning and every night just wasn’t going to be fun.”
“I just didn’t want to do it because I had done some green screen stuff and it wasn’t my cup of tea. And I don’t regret any decision that I made. I made it for myself in the moment and it was good for me then and it’s good for me now. And I also think the people who made it, Zoe, Chris and everyone, are having the best time. It worked for them. I love that, [but] I also love that I was able to stay with my gut.”
Of course, “Guardians” didn’t end up Marvel’s first bomb, and Gunn went on to make an entire trilogy of films before moving over to co-head the new DCU, including directing this summer’s “Superman.” But Seyfried’s career didn’t suffer from not joining the MCU. She starred in five films in 2025, including “Ted 2,” and had enviable roles in works like Paul Schrader‘s “First Reformed” and David Fincher‘s “Mank.”
But imagine for a second Seyfried over Saldaña as Gamora. Is it a better casting or not? This writer thinks Seyfried’s gut was right to turn down the role, and she shouldn’t regret her decision in the slightest.
Watch the entire “Happy Sad Confused” interview with Seyfried below.
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