Since its inception in 1977 by creator George Lucas, the Star Wars universe has invited some of Hollywood’s biggest names to participate in telling stories from a galaxy far, far away. On that note, imagine having the chance to star in one of the most iconic film sagas of all time, only to walk away with an unpleasant memory that seemed like it’d never fade.
Can an experience alongside a cinematic legend like Lucas ever be, dare we say, “boring”? Well, for Terence Stamp, acclaimed for his chilling portrayal of the villainous General Zod in Richard Donner’s Superman, a discouraging stint on the set of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace left an indelible mark.
The London-born actor, 85, earlier detailed his less-than-satisfactory experience collaborating with Lucas during the 1999 epic space opera flick. And despite his eagerness to work with the enchanting Natalie Portman, he found himself acting opposite a “piece of paper”, not the prodigious talent he admired.
Star Wars: Terence Stamp on Missed On-Screen Chemistry With Natalie Portman
Terence Stamp’s scathing remarks about his time working with George Lucas on Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace may come as a surprise to fans of the franchise. The iconic actor—whose last film appearance was in Last Night in Soho (2021)—didn’t hold back when discussing his disappointing experience on set.
Working with Lucas was not Stamp’s best experience, he admitted to Empire (via ComicBook), saying:
We didn’t get on at all. I didn’t rate him that much as a director, really.
So why, in the first place, did Stamp accept his offer? Apparently, the actor, who portrayed Finis Valorum, revealed that he only agreed to take on the role in hopes of working with Natalie Portman, whom he admired for her performance in The Professional. He shared:
I didn’t want to, but my agent leaned on me, and I wanted to meet Natalie Portman because I’d seen her in The Professional. And I did meet her and she was absolutely enchanting.
But to his dismay, his scene with the actress turned out to be a letdown when he discovered that she wasn’t actually physically present on set but instead represented by a “piece of paper on the wall”.
Working with Lucas proved to be unsatisfactory for Stamp, who later called the experience “boring”. Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Frank Oz, Pernilla August, Ian McDiarmid, Jake Lloyd, Ahmed Best, Anthony Daniels, and Natalie Portman were among the other notable actors who starred in the movie.
Natalie Portman Feared Career Damage From Star Wars Role?
While some actors jump at the chance to work on such a big-budget project as Star Wars, others wonder if it is the right time for them to do so. As a cast member of Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace, Natalie Portman entered the franchise in 1999. However, she was a little nervous about the direction her career might take after landing the role of Padmé Amidala.
Establishing the legacy of some of the most significant characters in the saga, her portrayal of Padmé Amidala, the young Queen of Naboo, was crucial in tying the prequel trilogy to the original films. However, earlier this month, the actress, 42, admitted to Empire that she was first “worried” about how the role would affect her ability to land other roles:
I was worried about doing it, that I wouldn’t be able to do anything else after, because the series carries such a mythology in American life. But that was precisely why it was such an incredible opportunity. It bridged my career from a child to an adult.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace made over $900 million in revenue worldwide after breaking numerous box office records (see Box Office Mojo). Many actors have enjoyed international recognition through the franchise, including Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill.
Harrison Ford’s career as an actor was already well-established, and playing Han Solo (Star Wars, 1977) helped him climb the ladder even higher and land roles like Indiana Jones.
But for Terence Stamp, the veteran actor’s not-so-sweet experience with the well-regarded franchise might’ve left a lasting impression on him. So, it’s safe to say that the Superman alum won’t be making a return to the franchise anytime soon.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is streaming on Disney+.
