Zoe Saldaña has achieved a new milestone by surpassing the Scarlett Johansson box office record to become the highest-grossing actor in Hollywood. This update follows Saldaña’s performance as Neytiri in James Cameron’s latest installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, which has contributed significantly to her lifetime box office total.
Saldaña Overtakes Johansson Following Avatar Success
Approximately six months after Scarlett Johansson claimed the title of Hollywood’s highest-grossing actor, Zoe Saldaña has reclaimed the top position. Her portrayal of Neytiri in Avatar: Fire and Ash pushed her cumulative film earnings to $15.46 billion, overtaking Johansson’s $15.06 billion, according to data from The Numbers.
The Avatar: Fire and Ash film has amassed $1.23 billion globally and continues to add to Saldaña’s record. Johansson previously set the benchmark with her extensive filmography, but Saldaña’s roles in major franchises have proven crucial in overtaking her.
Marvel Stars Dominate Top Earning Actors
Following Saldaña and Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson stands at $14.6 billion, Robert Downey Jr. at $14.3 billion, and Chris Pratt at $14.1 billion in cumulative box office grosses. All five top actors have been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, significantly boosting their box office totals. Saldaña is well-known for her work as Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, as well as Avengers: Infinity War, which surpassed $2 billion in global earnings.
Avatar and Marvel Films Fuel Saldaña’s Rise
Even though the character Gamora was killed in Infinity War, Saldaña returned in Avengers: Endgame as a version from an alternate timeline. The film’s $2.7 billion in global receipts contributed to her overall tally. The cumulative earnings of the Avatar franchise are also nearing $6.5 billion, adding further to her lead.
The Complexity of Counting Ensemble and Supporting Roles
Determining which film roles count toward these records can be complex. According to The Numbers, only lead roles or those part of a key ensemble are considered. For instance, Robert Downey Jr.’s appearance in Oppenheimer is categorized as supporting, so its $975 million gross is excluded from his total.
Tight Race Among Leading Stars Continues
Looking ahead, Robert Downey Jr.’s upcoming role as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday will likely count as a lead ensemble part and could impact the rankings. Unless Scarlett Johansson returns as Black Widow in a future blockbuster, Downey Jr. might surpass Saldaña in the next year.
Meanwhile, Chris Pratt, who starred alongside Saldaña in the Guardians series, could also challenge for the top spot. Although he is not slated to appear in the upcoming Avengers film, Pratt will lead The Super Mario Galaxy Movie this spring, expected to perform at least as well as its predecessor, which grossed $1.36 billion worldwide.
What Lies Ahead for Zoe Saldaña
Zoe Saldaña is set to return as Neytiri for two further Avatar sequels, currently scheduled for release in 2029 and 2031. With these projects in the pipeline, Saldaña, James Cameron, and the rest of the team are likely to extend their presence at the top of box office history, ensuring that the Scarlett Johansson box office record remains a focal point in Hollywood discussions for years to come.
