Thu Jan 01 01:50:00 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:

Summary:

Zoe Saldana has surpassed Samuel L. Jackson to become the second-highest-grossing actor of all time at the worldwide box office, thanks to her roles in blockbuster franchises like Avatar and Marvel’s Avengers. While she trails only Scarlett Johansson in total box office earnings for her movies, these figures don’t reflect individual actor salaries. Her recent success with “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” despite a slightly slower initial domestic box office, contributes significantly to her overall earnings. The Avatar franchise, in general, has enormous earning potential and staying power in theaters.

News Article:

Zoe Saldana Ascends to Second-Highest-Grossing Actor, Surpassing Samuel L. Jackson

Hollywood, CA – Zoe Saldana has reached a major career milestone, officially becoming the second-highest-grossing actor of all time worldwide, according to data from The Numbers. The actress, known for her leading roles in blockbuster franchises such as Avatar and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has surpassed Samuel L. Jackson in total box office earnings.

Saldana’s films have collectively grossed $14,998,849,825 globally, putting her just behind Scarlett Johansson, whose films have amassed $15,401,507,141. Jackson’s films stand at $14,613,700,731. Saldana’s impressive track record includes roles in Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Infinity War, the Guardians of the Galaxy series, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and the rebooted Star Trek franchise.

This achievement comes on the heels of the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron’s sci-fi epic. The film earned $88 million in North American theaters during its debut weekend, a figure considered a moderate start for a movie of its scale. However, the Avatar series is renowned for its longevity in theaters. As of Sunday, December 28th, the film has already garnered $760 million internationally, according to Variety.

While this box office success places Saldana high in terms of total gross earnings of her movies, it’s important to note that it does not directly correlate with individual actor salaries. According to Forbes, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Kevin Hart were the highest-paid actors in 2024. Johansson was No. 19 on the list.

The original Avatar remains the highest-grossing film of all time, with nearly $785 million in domestic ticket sales and $2.9 billion worldwide. Avatar: The Way of Water earned $688 million domestically and $2.3 billion worldwide.

Zoe Saldana’s rise to the second-highest-grossing actor is a testament to her talent and the enduring appeal of the blockbuster franchises she headlines.

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