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Amanda Seyfried has consistently impressed audiences with her diverse performances, effortlessly switching between comedic roles and more naïve, wide-eyed characters. Her versatility is one of the reasons she caught the attention of filmmaker James Gunn, who once considered her for a major role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Jennifer’s Body star shared an interesting behind-the-scenes story—she was once offered the role of Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy. According to Seyfried, she met with James Gunn and was seriously considered for the part of Thanos’ formidable daughter in the intergalactic blockbuster.
However, she ultimately turned down the offer, explaining that she was reluctant to commit to a role that required extensive body paint and long hours in the makeup chair. “I was scared of the idea of being stuck and painted a different color because of the amount of time [it takes],” she admitted.
Seyfried acknowledged that it was a big opportunity, though she humorously mentioned that someone once told her James Gunn doesn’t even remember their meeting. “I definitely got the offer for it, and I mulled over it for a couple of days,” she said.
Another factor in her decision? The filming location. The Mamma Mia! actress revealed that the idea of being stuck in London for six months wasn’t appealing to her at the time. Instead, she chose to star in Seth MacFarlane’s comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West, which seemed like a more enjoyable and convenient opportunity.
Looking back, she also considered the risks of joining a relatively unknown Marvel project. “Let’s also remember that being a part of the first Marvel movie that bombs ain’t good for your career,” she quipped.
At the time, Seyfried found it hard to believe a movie featuring a talking tree and a wisecracking raccoon would succeed. She admitted she worried that if the film flopped, both she and Chris Pratt’s careers would take a serious hit.
Ultimately, the role of Gamora went to Zoe Saldana, who went on to deliver an unforgettable performance across multiple MCU films, including the critically acclaimed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. As history shows, Guardians of the Galaxy became a massive success, proving that sometimes the most unexpected ideas turn into box-office gold.