Published By: Dishya Sharma
Last Updated: December 06, 2023, 15:20 IST
Natalie Portman played Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars.
Prince Charles asked Portman about her involvement in the original Star Wars films, to which she said, ‘No, I’m 18!’
Acclaimed actor Natalie Portman recently featured on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live chat show to promote her new film, May December. During her conversation, the actress once again expressed her openness to stepping back into the character of Padmé Amidala within the Star Wars franchise. Portman, who received widespread accolades and fame with a pivotal role in filmmaker George Lucas’ prequel trilogy during her teenage years, took a trip down memory lane and recalled her debut in The Phantom Menace, which premiered in 1999 when she was just 18.
While talking to the host, Andy Cohen, Portman also shared an intriguing anecdote from her past – an encounter with the British royal family at The Phantom Menace premiere. It was during this event that Prince Charles, then still Prince Charles, posed an interesting question about Portman’s involvement in the original Star Wars films. “I remember Prince Charles, he was then Prince Charles asked me if I was in the originals. I was like, ‘No, I’m 18!’ But he was very friendly,” she said.
Despite the absence of any invitations to reprise her role in the Star Wars saga, Portman openly expressed her willingness to entertain such a possibility.
Reflecting on her time working on the prequel trilogy, she warmly described the experience as nothing short of amazing. “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,” Portman explains.
Watch the full episode here:
The challenge of Portman’s character Padmé’s demise in Revenge of the Sixth film complicates the possibility of her rejoining the franchise. However, the Star Wars series has a track record of resurrecting seemingly deceased characters. For example, the character Darth Maul from Phantom Menace makes a return in Solo.
As of now, Taika Waititi, a filmmaker known for movies like Jojo Rabbit and Next Goal Wins, is reportedly directing a new installment in the Star Wars cinematic universe, reports Variety.
In an interview with the GQ magazine, Portman had shared that Waititi, who has previously worked with Natalie Portman in Thor: Love and Thunder had extended an invitation to Portman in 2022, to join the cast of his forthcoming Star Wars venture, oblivious to her already existing role as Padmé.
Natalie Portman’s romance drama, May December drama is now available for streaming on Netflix. It is directed by Todd Haynes and also stars Charles Melton, Piper Curda, and Julianne Moore in major roles.
