Natalie Portman

Portman reprises her role as Jane Foster in the second installment of the Thor franchise in Thor: The Dark World. Picking up two years after saving Earth from destruction, Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, must now protect Asgard from a more treacherous evil. With his new role as King, and the aid of his deceitful brother Loki, the god of thunder must do everything he can to save the world he loves.

It was exciting to get to come back and work with everyone, and meet people who were joining this time and also, because Jane gets to go to Asgard this time.

Portman plays Jane Foster in the 2011 film adaptation of the comic book hero. A young and arrogant Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, has much to learn before he can become the King of Asgard. Banished to Earth by his father Odin, played by Anthony Hopkins, Thor begins to realize the true responsibility of power. On working with Hopkins:

I was completely intimidated… I kept messing up lines around him because I was so nervous, and he was so sweet about it. He made me feel at ease.

Portman plays Emma, opposite actor Ashton Kutcher in this romantic comedy, the story of two L.A. friends that are in a strictly “friends with benefits” relationship. No romance, no complications, just sex.

It’s a big honor to have people be excited about a movie that you make. That’s the one thing that you want, is for an audience to connect to what you make

Portman plays Grace Cahill in the war drama Brothers, alongside Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal. After being a prisoner of war, Capt. Sam Cahill returns home a different person. He is withdrawn and is convinced his brother and wife had a relationship during his absence.

It’s such a family story… It’s definitely something that people can relate to…

Portman plays Anne Boleyn in the 2008 period drama The Other Boleyn Girl, alongside Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana. In the film, the Boleyn family conspire to have one of their daughters produce a son with King Henry VIII. Despite her sister being favored over her by the King, Anne pursues her goal of securing a position in the royal court through betrayal, deceit, and seduction. On her costume:

It’s real misery to put it on after you’ve had it off…They were incredibly helpful for the characters.

Portman makes an appearance in the 2007 adventure comedy The Darjeeling Limited. Directed by Wes Anderson, the film tells the story of three brothers who travel across India after the death of their father, to reunite with their mother.

Portman plays Evey in the 2006 sci-fi action film V for Vendetta. Set the future of a fascist Britain, this film tells the story of a masked freedom fighter by the name of V, played by Hugo Weaving. Though the oppressive British government thinks of V as a terrorist, the revolution V has planned is devoted to the people. The actress shaves her head for her role while director James McTeigue uses three cameras to capture the haircut in one take.

James the director gave me the graphic novel when he offered me the role so I read it immediately. It was such a great resource to have. It’s almost like a storyboard for the movie.

Portman joins actor Jude Law once again in the 2004 drama Closer, along with Hollywood veterans Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. The film tells the story about two London couples and their participation in a dangerous game of love, lies and infidelity.

I just always choose things based on if it’s different from something I’ve done before. If it’s something challenging. If it’s something I think I might not be able to do.

Portman plays Sara in the 2003 war drama Cold Mountain. She joins an all-star cast of actors that features Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger, and Jude Law. The film is set during the Civil War, and tells a story about an injured confederate soldier, played by Law, trying to get back home to his family in Cold Mountain, North Carolina. Director Anthony Minghella’s thoughts of Portman:

She reminds me a little of Jodie Foster, because I can see her, as time goes on, wanting to spread her wings beyond acting. Her big brain wants to be fed.

Portman plays Ann August in the 1999 drama Anywhere but Here, with fellow actress Susan Sarandon. The story is about Adele August, played by Sarandon, and the pursuit of her eccentric dreams. They leave their small Wisconsin town life and head towards Beverly Hills, but Ann does not share the same dream as her mother. On her character Ann:

She is the daughter of a very outgoing, kind of eccentric mother who isn’t very responsible and who doesn’t always act for her daughter’s best interests… She becomes a very serious, kind of mature person because of that.