Natalie Portman Reveals the Inspiration For Her Performance as Padmé in ‘The Phantom Menace’
Empire Magazine is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace by talking to the principal players involved in the film’s creation.
One of the stars interviewed for the project was Natalie Portman, who portrayed Padmé Amidala, the Queen of Naboo, future Republic Senator, and the eventual wife of Jedi Anakin Skywalker.
Photo: Star Wars
Reflecting back on her time as Padmé, Portman recalled how a trip to Japan to promote Leon would provide her inspiration when portraying the regal Queen Amidala.
“When I was in Japan doing press for Léon as a 13-year-old, I had the opportunity to see Kabuki theatre,” she explains of her Phantom Menace physicality. “When I saw the designs for the costumes and hair and make-up for Queen Amidala, I immediately thought of that. I tried to use some of the ways I observed the characters moving their eyes, the slow and regal way they moved their bodies, as inspiration for the role,” Portman recalled.
Photo: Star Wars
While Portman went on to explain that she made changes to her voice to deepen it as George Lucas wanted, eventually, Padmé’s voice was digitally altered to make it even deeper.
Could Portman Return to Star Wars
Unlike her prequel trilogy co-stars Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor, Portman has not reprised her role of Padmé since Revenge of the Sith.
When asked if she would like to return to the franchise, Portman was adamant that she would.
Photo: Star Wars
“I’m open to it,” Portman said before stating that her time in the Star Wars prequel trilogy was “amazing.”
While Padmé’s return is unlikely, given her death at the end of Revenge of the Sith, perhaps we will see Portman return after all.
