Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman are two of Hollywood’s most famous actresses. Their successful careers have earned them numerous accolades and a legion of devoted fans. Both actresses have starred in numerous movies and TV shows over the years, but the movie that really put them on the map was the critically acclaimed psychological thriller Black Swan.
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan tells the story of Nina (played by Portman), a ballerina who plays the lead role in Swan Lake. Nina’s quest for perfection and her fight against her inner demons take a dark turn as she descends into madness. Kunis plays Lily, another ballerina who becomes Nina’s rival and confidante.
The film was a critical and commercial success, earning rave reviews and several nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Actress for Portman. Kunis was also praised for her performance and received a Best Supporting Actress nomination.
Given their pivotal roles in the film, it’s natural to wonder if Kunis and Portman ever met or bonded during the production of Black Swan. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at their relationship and find out if they’ve ever crossed paths.
The beginning
To understand Kunis and Portman’s relationship, it’s important to look back at how they both landed their roles in Black Swan.
Kunis had already established herself as a successful actress thanks to her role as Jackie Burkhart on the television series That ’70s Show. She had also appeared in several films, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Max Payne, before being cast as Lily in Black Swan.
In an interview with Collider, Kunis revealed that she auditioned for the role several times before finally getting the role. “I went to the first audition, then I got called back, then I had a meeting with Darren
[Aronofsky]”, she said. “Then I had a meeting with the producers, then I had a meeting with the producers and the studio. So it was a process.”
Meanwhile, Portman was already an established star, having starred in films like Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Garden State and V for Vendetta. However, Black Swan deviated from her usual roles and required her to undergo intense physical training to portray a ballerina.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Portman said she spent six to eight hours a day for six months preparing for the role. “I had never danced ballet before, so it was a completely new skill set,” she said. “It was really intense.”
The two actresses only met after being cast in the film. In fact, Kunis revealed in an interview with Nylon that she didn’t even know who her co-star was until she saw her on set.
“I was like, ‘Oh shit. I’m about to work with the person who’s about to win the Oscar,'” Kunis said. “I freaked out for a second. But then you just have to forget about that and be like, ‘OK, we’re just two girls trying to tell a story.'”
The filming process
Once filming began, Kunis and Portman spent a lot of time together on set. Their characters had a complicated relationship that involved both friendship and rivalry, which required them to have strong relationships with each other.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kunis said she and Portman spent a lot of time rehearsing their dance scenes together. “We would come on our days off and dance together for hours,” she said. “It was a bonding experience.”
Portman echoed Kunis’ sentiments in an interview with Collider, saying the two actresses worked closely together to build their on-screen dynamic. “We definitely had to have a bond that was both intimate and competitive,” she said. “We needed to be able to go to this place with each other, and Mila was such a great partner in that regard.”
Despite working closely together on set, Kunis and Portman have been open about the fact that they didn’t become close friends while making Black Swan. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Portman said that while she loved working with Kunis, they didn’t have much in common off-set. “We talked about our families and our lives, but we didn’t hang out together,” she said.
Kunis has also spoken about their relationship in several interviews, saying that although they didn’t become best friends, they respected each other and could work together effectively. “We worked really well together, but we didn’t necessarily socialize outside of work,” she said in an interview with E! News.
Life after the black swan
After Black Swan, Kunis and Portman went on to enjoy successful careers in Hollywood. Kunis has starred in movies like Ted, Friends with Benefits, and Bad Moms, while Portman has appeared in films like Thor, Annihilation, and Jackie.
Despite their busy schedules, the two actresses have sometimes crossed paths over the years. In 2018, Kunis appeared as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she revealed she recently met Portman at a party. “We hadn’t seen each other in a very long time, and it was really cool to meet again,” she said.
Portman also spoke about Kunis during an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, saying she admires her co-star’s work ethic and talent. “I think she’s a fantastic actress,” Portman said. “She’s incredibly charismatic and has a great sense of humor.”
Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman met and worked closely together while making Black Swan. Although they didn’t become close friends off set, they had a strong working relationship that helped them bring their characters to life onscreen.
Both actresses went on to have successful careers in Hollywood, and while they couldn’t socialize outside of work, they expressed respect and admiration for each other’s talent and work ethic. Overall, their collaboration on Black Swan will be remembered as one of the most memorable performances in recent movie history.
