In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Natalie Portman delved into her experience of bringing the powerful character of Padmé Amidala to life in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. As Queen of Naboo, a Republic Senator, and eventually the wife of Jedi Anakin Skywalker, Padmé's journey was an intricate one. However, despite Portman's meticulous portrayal, George Lucas still had a few tweaks in mind for the final edit.
During the interview, Portman shared the inspiration behind her portrayal and the physicality she brought to the character. Drawing from her exposure to Kabuki theatre during a press tour in Japan for the film 'Léon' at just 13 years old, Portman found that the grandeur and elegance of Kabuki performances resonated with the character of Queen Amidala. The intricate costumes, elaborate hair, and makeup designs for Queen Amidala instantly reminded Portman of her experiences with Kabuki theatre. She observed the deliberate movements of the characters, particularly their eyes and the regal grace with which they carried themselves. These observations became the foundation from which she built her interpretation of Padmé Amidala.
