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Natalie Portman, who played Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy films Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, recently offered a promising update regarding a potential return to the Star Wars franchise in a recent interview with GQ.
Portman's Amidala had a key role in all three films of the prequel trilogy, where she initially served as the Queen and later a Senator of Naboo. She also served as a close friend and later the love interest and eventual wife of Anakin Skywalker, whose fall to the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was greatly motivated by his fear of losing her.
Natalie Portman did not reprise her role of Amidala in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which released after Revenge of the Sith but took place before the events of that movie. Thus, it has been over 20 years since Portman last played Amidala.
"I'm open to it": Natalie Portman says she is game to return as Padme Amidala
In a recent interview for GQ Magazine, when she responded to questions from fans on the internet, Natalie Portman was asked about the chances of her returning as Padme Amidala in any future Star Wars project, to which the Black Swan actress said that she had no idea but was open to the possibility of reprising the role.
"I have no information on this. No one's ever asked me to return, but I'm open to it."
Portman was later also asked about whether or not Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi actually forgot about her being in Star Wars films while the two were filming the fourth Thor film. To which the actress replied by saying:
"He says he did, ‘cause he like asked me if I wanted to be in a Star Wars movie. And I was like, 'I was!' I thought he was joking. He's such a joker, that I thought it was a joke. And then afterwards, he said in some interview, that he like, was cringing afterwards."
Even though Portman's comment about being open to returning is no doubt exciting news for the fans, Lucasfilm has not yet revealed any plans to bring back Padme Amidala in any of its projects.
How can Natalie Portman's Padme Amidala return?
As for how Portman's Padme Amidala can return, it remains to be seen, given that the character is currently dead in the Star Wars timeline. However, the Lucasfilm franchise has proven time and again that it is willing to tell not only stories set in the present, such as The Mandalorian, but also stories set in the past, like how they did with the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
As such, there are multiple storytelling opportunities that can make use of Padme Amidala and thus bring back Natalie Portman to reprise the role. Especially if Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader are involved, seeing as how Amidala has strong ties to the famous Sith Lord.
For example, even though it is not confirmed, Star Wars head Kathleen Kennedy hinted at the possibility of a second season for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Thus, the potential second season could work in some flashback sequences set before the events of Attack of the Clones or during The Clone Wars and make use of Amidala for a special appearance alongside the likes of Anakin and Obi-Wan.
Natalie Portman's Padme Amidala can also be used in season 2 of Obi-Wan Kenobi if the show decides to dive deeper into Darth Vader's story. Perhaps she could appear as a vision haunting Vader and reminding him of the horrible actions that he had committed and which had led to her death.
Another place where Natalie Portman could make a comeback as Padme Amidala could be in the upcoming Ahsoka series, given how Ahsoka Tano is also tied to Darth Vader as she was Anakin's former Jedi apprentice. That series could work in flashbacks, where Amidala could make a cameo, interacting with Ahsoka.
During Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ahsoka and Padme befriended one another, and both of them bonded over their care and concern for Anakin. Padme was also one of the few people besides Anakin and Obi-Wan who staunchly defended Ahsoka when she was accused of bombing a Jedi temple at the end of the sixth season of The Clone Wars.
Even though Natalie Portman's return as Amidala is not confirmed by Lucasfilm. The fact that Portman herself is interested in a comeback gives her fans and fans of Padme Amidala some hope.
Fans of Natalie Portman can next catch her in the upcoming Apple TV+ series, Lady in the Lake, which currently does not have a release date. She will also star opposite Julianne Moore in the romantic drama May December.
