With George Lucas going backward in time with his storytelling in the Star Wars franchise, the director released Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999. Starring Natalie Portman in the role of Padme Amidala.
Depicting her leader persona and a secret marriage with Anakin Skywalker, the character of Portman was quite important to the storytelling and fans did love her. On the red carpet event, however, King Charles III asked Portman whether she was in the original Star Wars films. Portman replied negatively and added that she was just 18.
When Natalie Portman Met King Charles III
Back in 1999, director George Lucas released Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, almost 16 years after Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. Starring Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson, and Ewan McGregor in the lead roles, the movie was quite a success.
At the red carpet premiere of the movie, Portman who had portrayed the role of Padme Amidala for the first time met King Charles III. Padme Amidala, having married Anakin Skywalker, is the mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker, is quite an important character in the lore of Star Wars. The actress, however, had quite a unique meeting with King Charles III on the red carpet event. As per a post on X (formerly Twitter), the actress revealed that King Charles III thought that she was in the original films.
“He asked me if I was in the OG films … I was like, ‘No… I’m 18″
Although Natalie Portman became famous for her role as Padme Amidala, Portman revealed that this role wasn’t something that she was actively pursuing.
Natalie Portman Did Not Acitvely Pursue The Role
In an interview with ScreenSlam, Portman talked about how the role of Padme Amidala wasn’t something that she was desperately trying to get a hold of. She talked about how she just met with the casting director and George Lucas and then she was selected.
“I definitely didn’t actively pursue this role at all. But I just met with the casting director, like on any other film. … I met George and talked to him, and then I got the part. I hadn’t seen the films until it was offered to me so I really wasn’t aware of what Star Wars was at all.”
The actress appeared in the role of Padme Amidala till 2005 with Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Following the movie, Portman went on to appear in movies like Black Swan and then joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Chris Hemsworth.
