How STAR WARS: EPISODE ONE Almost Destroyed Natalie Portman's Career

Natalie Portman/Lucasfilm

Most people know Natalie Portman from her iconic role as Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, so you might be surprised that the role almost ruined her career. While Padme made Portman a household name in homes around the country, it made her a pariah in Hollywood. Natalie revealed in a New York Magazine interview why:

Star Wars [Episode One] had come out around the time of [my role in Anton Chevhov's play] Seagull, and everyone thought I was a horrible actress. I was in the biggest-grossing movie of the decade, and no director wanted to work with me.

Apparently, her wooden performance and awkward lines gave people the wrong impression. Box Office Magazine's Annlee Ellingson was typical when she said, "Portman's delivery is stiff and flat, perhaps hindered by the gorgeous but cumbersome costumes." Fortunately, Portman had a friend in the industry who stuck up for her, director Mike Nichols. She said:

Mike [Nichols] wrote a letter to [director] Anthony Minghella and said, 'Put her in Cold Mountain, I vouch for her.' And then Anthony passed me on to Tom Tykwer [director of True], who passed me on to the Wachowskis [director of V for Vendetta].

Meanwhile, Hayden Christensen is saying, "Why didn't anyone vouch for me?"

[Via ET Canada]

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