Natalie Portman On 'Star Wars' Prequels: "No Director Wanted To Work With Me"

Star Wars fans don't really like talking about the prequel trilogy that almost ruined the franchise, but apparently it almost ruined the career for a future Academy Award winner. Natalie Portman portrayed Padme Amidala in these three movies, but the first of the series, The Phantom Menace, apparently had directors scoffing at her performance, threatening her future as an actress. In a recent New York Magazine feature on the life and unfortunate death of filmmaker Mike Nichols, Portman explained how the director vouched for her and saved her budding career. Read More »