Natalie Portman recalls King Charles’ odd question about ‘Star Wars’
Natalie Portman has discussed her role in George Lucas’ prequel trilogy of Star Wars and recalls an odd question King Charles once asked her about her involvement in the franchise.
Portman first portrayed Anakin Skywalker’s muse, Padmé Amidala, in 1999 when she was just 18 years of age. A healthy childhood career, including an appearance in 1994’s Léon: The Professional, had set her up for success, but Star Wars proved to be the key breakthrough.
After appearing in The Phantom Menace and its two follow-ups, Portman’s character sadly dies, further tempting Anakin to the dark side of the force. Despite her character’s death, Portman revealed in an interview on Watch What Happens Live that she’d be open to reprising her role in future prequel episodes.
Elsewhere, the host Andy Cohen asked Portman what it was like meeting the British royal family at The Phantom Menace premiere in 1999. “I remember Prince Charles, he was then Prince Charles, asked me if I was in the originals,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘No, I’m 18!’ But he was very friendly.”
If reprising her role as Padmé Amidala in Star Wars is off the table, Portman revealed that she would love to return in another role. “No one has asked,” she asserted, “but I’m open to it.”
Reflecting on the prequel trilogy, in which she starred alongside Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson, Portman had only fond memories. After calling the experience “amazing,” she divulged: “It was the first time I worked digitally. I don’t think anyone was shooting that way then. It was my first time working with a green screen. It was a whole new set of skills to pick up and a whole new world to enter.”
Watch the trailer for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace below.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.