Summary
- The success of "Revenge of the Sith" suggests a growing appreciation for the Star Wars prequels despite initial criticism.
- Natalie Portman is open to returning to the Star Wars franchise and has ideas for her character Padme Amidala.
- Portman filmed scenes for the Disney Plus series "Obi-Wan Kenobi," hinting at a potential future return to the Star Wars universe.
Natalie Portman was a significant part of the Star Wars prequel trilogy as Padme Amidala, Anakin Skywalker's love interest and the eventual mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker. Amidala is killed in Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith, a movie that recently grossed $42.2 million globally during its 20th-anniversary re-release.
The success that Revenge of the Sith has received almost five decades after its original release has proven that there is a lot of interest in that time period of Star Wars and the characters that inhabit it. While the prequels may not have been given as much critical praise as the original trilogy, they are now starting to get an increased level of appreciation, and Portman may now look to follow in the footsteps of Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor in stepping back into a galaxy far, far away.
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Portman recently spoke to The One Show in the UK, where she explained that she'd be open to appearing in another Star Wars- related project, whether that be a television show or a movie, and she has a specific idea in mind. Portman said, "With a lightsaber. I think she'd have to be a Jedi. Somehow, she was brought back from the dead; that would be exciting."
Amidala's return to the Star Wars franchise would likely prove to be a popular decision with fans, as there is undoubtedly a lot more that could be achieved with the character. Whether or not Disney manages to create an idea where she could return from the dead remains to be seen, but stranger things have happened within that universe. However, it would be tricky to pull off, given that she showcased no Force-sensitive signs throughout her life. Still, that doesn't mean that she cannot play the role again at some point in the future, as new Star Wars shows and movies are being greenlit regularly, and the franchise showcases no signs of slowing down.
There have been a lot of rumors and reports about Portman making a return to the world of Star Wars in recent times. She has been linked with making an appearance in the second season of Ahsoka, but nothing has been confirmed regarding that. However, Jeff Snieder previously revealed to The Hot Mic Podcast that the Marvel Cinematic Universe star did film some scenes for the Disney Plus series Obi-Wan Kenobi. That show dove into the relationship of Obi-Wan and Anakin/Darth Vader in further detail, but the scene that Portman shot didn't end up making the cut.
The fact that Portman has previously done some work for other Star Wars projects, coupled with her creating potential ideas for a return, are clear signs that she's open to returning if the concept is right for all parties. The popularity of the prequel stories at the moment makes this a perfect time for her to return in some capacity, whether it's for a one-off appearance in a show during a throwback scene or as a lead character where the setting would allow her to be alive once again. Audiences are excited for more Star Wars prequel characters to appear again, and Portman would be one of the most thrilling options that could be taken.
