During the production of Episode II of the galactic saga, Attack of the Clones, a weird tension brewed behind the scenes while filming a sequence that required Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen to improvise. Both actors joined the beloved franchise as Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker in the prequel trilogy, who initially meet on The Phantom Menace and eventually fall in love in Star Wars: Episode II.
However, while filming one of the scenes for the 2002 film, the star cast found themselves navigating through an unexpected discomfort after Anakin’s Jedi abilities were incorporated into the scene.
Natalie Portman Recalled Filming the Awkward Attack of the Clones Scene
Attack of the Clones follows Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as they investigate a separatist conspiracy, leading to the revelation of a secret clone army and the outbreak of the Clone Wars.
The film also focuses on Anakin’s forbidden romance with Senator Padmé Amidala as it blossoms amidst political turmoil. One of the scenes in its pursuit features Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen’s character finishing a dinner when Skywalker uses his Jedi powers to make a fruit fly.
Portman recalled filming the scene in an interview, saying that his gesture sparked a sense of fear in Padmé, but it soon turned into a flirtatious interaction. She shared that Lucas did not seem “satisfied with the dialogue he had written” and had asked them to improvise the scene.
While the actress found the prospect of improvising “amusing” the actress also shared that the flirtatious undertones quickly became inappropriate, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere on set. The Oscar-winning actress recalled,
“I don’t think George was satisfied with the dialogue he had written, because he told Hayden and me to just improvise–which was amusing, because it got inappropriate very quickly.”
The Black Swan star also admitted that filming with an imaginary fruit felt “pretty stupid,” but they still enjoyed it. Portman would go on to reprise her role alongside Christensen in the 2005 film Revenge of the Sith, during which her character also caught the attention for her bold fashion choices.
Natalie Portman Reflected on Padmé’s Wardrobe Evolution in Star Wars
George Lucas handpicked Natalie Portman for the role of Padmé Amidala in The Phantom Menace while seeking an actress who could embody both regal authority and vulnerability. And Portman, known for her performance in Léon: The Professional, gracefully embodied the young queen.
However, her character underwent a significant shift in Attack of the Clones, showcasing bold and provocative designs that depart from her previous regal attire. Reflecting on the evolution of Padmé’s costume, the actress emphasized the departure from the youthful innocence of Episode I to the more mature and womanly aesthetic of Episode II.
“There are a lot of corsets that are very tight, which I’m sure everyone will notice. I didn’t really believe it until I wore it. That’s what different about the costumes in Episode II as opposed to Episode I — whereas Episode I was queenly, it was still made for a young girl. Now I’m supposed to be a woman, so we’ve got a lot of midriff, and a lot of tight corsets “
While some of these costumes like the white Geonosis battle gear and the ombre pastel dress, have become iconic, there is no denying that Star Wars did try to unnecessarily s*xualize not only Portman’s character but also other female characters in the franchise.
Whether it Padmé’s iconic ripped battle outfit or Princess Leia’s slave attire, these are some of the examples of overt s*xualization of female characters within a predominantly male-led franchise.
The Star Wars prequel trilogy is available to stream on Disney+.
