James Cameron made the cast of his latest movie 'Avatar' live without modern comforts for three days while filming.

Zoe Saldana, who plays the role of the alien Neytiri in the sci-fi film, said the preparation for the role was "the most physically demanding" she had undertaken.

She added: "James made us live for three days without technology and a minimum of creature comforts while we went climbing and digging in the dirt.

"I was almost naked for three days and as muddy as a dead rat. I finally went, 'I can't deal with this' and James said 'Oh, come on, Zoe, suck it up!'"

Among the training she had to undertake were martial arts and archery, as well as riding a horse bareback.

The 31-year-old star, who played the role of Uhura in the recent 'Star Trek' movie, also claimed she would do be happy to act in more sci-fi films.

She told Parade.com: "I wouldn't mind doing a few more. Look what it did for Sigourney Weaver's career. That's a really great path to follow and she's a really good role model to have."