Natalie Portman is a name that needs no introduction. The talented actress has established herself in Hollywood with roles in critically acclaimed films like Black Swan and Jackie, for which she was nominated for an Oscar. But the actress once gained attention for allegedly skipping the premiere of one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year, The Phantom Menace.
For those who don’t know, The Phantom Menace is the first film in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, released in 1999. Natalie Portman plays the young warrior queen, Padmé Amidala, who sets out to protect her planet from the evil, Trade Federation.
The cast and crew of the film, as well as a number of celebrities, attended the premiere of The Phantom Menace, except the Israeli-born American actress.
Yes, the 41-year-old actress was reportedly absent from the event, leaving fans wondering why she missed out on such a significant moment in her career.
What Caused Natalie Portman To Miss The Phantom Menace Premiere?
Although it might seem like a minor point, there are several reasons why this story is intriguing. First of all, it serves as a reminder of how young Natalie Portman was when she made a name for herself as Queen, Padmé Amidala.
Well, she was a seasoned actress with several films to her credit at the age of just 17 or 18. It’s understandable if she felt overwhelmed or even a little intimidated by the extensive media coverage the premiere received.
There have been rumors about her absence in The Phantom Menace for years. Some sources have even claimed that the actress purposefully skipped the premiere in order to avoid the critical reception the movie faced after its debut.
Some, however, have denied these claims and maintained that her absence was caused by her hectic schedule at the time. The actress, who was just 17 or 18 years old when The Phantom Menace was filmed, had to balance her acting career with her commitments to her studies.
The Closer actress stated to Vanity Fair in 2016:
“I don’t care if [college] ruins my career… I’d rather be smart than a movie star.”
Anyways, Portman taking education so seriously really shouldn’t be a surprise considering the actor has long been a vocal advocate for the value of education.
Is She ‘Open’ To Returning To Star Wars?
The Thor: Love and Thunder star is mom to two kids, Aleph Portman, and Amalia Millepied, who has played a significant role in the Star Wars universe. Natalie Portman recently stated that she is very much “open” to returning to the universe, despite having previously stated that she found it difficult to deal with the backlash to the prequels. But, there is only one issue on that front.
The well-liked celebrity took part in a GQ career retrospective where she answered queries from their It’s Actually Me”YouTube series.
“Any chance that Padme/Natalie Portman would return to Star Wars?” a Reddit user asked. And the Black Swan actress responded that she would be open to doing so after almost 20 years. Despite her willingness, Portman admitted that no one had approached her about playing the same part again:
“I have no information on this. No one’s ever asked me to return, but I’m open to it.”
Fans undoubtedly appreciate her love of the Star Wars universe and her openness to the idea, even though it is still unknown whether she will reprise her role as Padmé Amidala. The series is known for surprising viewers with unexpected turns and imaginative storytelling.
Well, her talent, charisma, and dedication to acting have made her a household name with a devoted fan base around the globe. Her recent film, May December, made its premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2023.
We can’t wait to see what she will do next.
Source- Vanity Fair
