Natalie Portman says no director wanted to work with her after starring in Star Wars prequel trilogy

Natalie Portman has admitted that Hollywood directors were uninterested in working with her after appearing in Star Wars.

When she was just 17, Portman portrayed Queen Padme Amidala in the first of George Lucas’ prequel movies, Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999).

Before her character’s eventual death in childbirth, the actor also made appearances in 2002’s Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Episode III - Revenge of the Sith in 2005.

Reminiscing on her Star Wars character, the Black Swan star said: "The film [Phantom Menace] does a great job of creating a positive image for young women.

"It’s good for young girls to see it because she’s very smart, she’s very together, she’s very compassionate and warm."

However, despite the box-office success of Episode I, the 42-year-old has since stated that ‘no director wanted to work with her’.

"Star Wars had come out around the time of Seagull and everyone thought I was a horrible actress," Portman explained.

"I was in the biggest-grossing movie of the decade, and no director wanted to work with me."

Lucasfilm/Disney

Turning to the stage in 2001, Portman began acting as Nina in Mike Nichols’ drama, The Seagull.

From there, she stated that the director himself masterminded to get her a role in the epic war movie, Cold Mountain.

"Mike wrote a letter to Anthony Minghella and said, "Put her in Cold Mountain, I vouch for her’,” Portman said.

"And then Anthony passed me on to Tom Tykwer, who passed me on to the Wachowskis.”

After appearing in Minghella’s 2003 film, the mum-of-two eventually landed roles in V for Vendetta, The Other Boleyn Girl and Black Swan.

For her work in the latter, the star received an Oscar for Best Actress as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.

Despite believing that Star Wars derailed her career, Portman has recently stated that she would definitely be ‘open’ to returning to the franchise.

Searchlight Pictures/Disney.

When asked if Padme could make a reappearance, she told GQ: “I have no information on this. No one’s ever asked me to return, but I’m open to it.”

Earlier this year, Lucasfilm announced during a studio showcase that they would be releasing a trio of new live-action Star Wars films in the near future.

Excitingly, it was also revealed that Daisy Ridley would be returning to the franchise to reprise her character, Rey.

The 31-year-old originally rose to prominence for her appearances in 2015’s The Force Awakens, 2017’s The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. However, while Ridley’s character is set for a definite return, it is unknown whether the door is open to bring Padme back.