Natalie Portman tackled a rigorous role as a prima ballerina for the upcoming psychological thriller, “Black Swan.” Now, the film’s director, Darren Aronofsky, tells Access that the highly physical portrayal took a toll on the gorgeous star’s body.
“At a certain point I looked at [Natalie’s] back and she was so skinny and so cut — I was like, ‘Natalie, start eating,’” Darren told Access Hollywood’s Scott “Movie” Mantz, at the film’s premiere on Thursday. “I made sure she had a bunch of food in her trailer.
“[Natalie] took [the role] very seriously,” Darren continued. “These dancers get really, really skinny.”
As for Natalie, the 29-year-old beauty said “Black Swan” was “very challenging physically,” and admitted she was more than happy to leave the dancer diet behind.
“The [day after shooting ended] I was like, pasta, pasta, pasta! No working out,” Natalie told Scott. “It was pretty immediate. I was ready to leave the ballet life.
“I was like, ‘Please don’t let there be re-shoots for this [film] because I don’t think I could get back into the costumes!’” she laughed.
The twisted thriller also stars Mila Kunis, who shares an intimate sex scene in the film with Natalie. Though the girl-on-girl romp is sure to get audiences talking, Mila said it is an important plot point — and not just for attention.
“[The scene] has a point to the film,” Mila told Scott. “So, ultimately, if people walk out and that’s all they remember, that’s unfortunate.
“There’s a reason for it,” Mila added. “It’s not just there for shock value.”
Catch Natalie and Mila in “Black Swan” when it hits theaters on December 10.
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