Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, released in 1999, is the first installment of the prequel trilogy. Directed by George Lucas, it introduced a new generation of characters to the Star Wars universe. The cast of this film was a perfect blend of experienced actors and fresh faces.
Ewan McGregor portrayed the young Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi with remarkable skill and charisma. His portrayal captured the essence of Sir Alec Guinness' iconic performance in the original trilogy. Liam Neeson brought his typical "typecast" wisdom and strength to his role as Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan's master.
The film also introduced Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker, the future Darth Vader. Although his performance received mixed reviews, he brought innocence and charm to his character. As far as the female leads for the film went, the role of Padme Amidala was actually split between two up-and-coming actresses - Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman. In a way, they played the same character. Their relationship with each other has been speculated on since then, but what's the truth?
Who Did Keira Knightley Play In Star Wars: The Phantom Menace?
Keira Knightley has graced the silver screen with her talent and beauty in numerous films. With a career spanning over two decades, Knightley has become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood.
Knightley's breakthrough role came in 2002 when she portrayed Elizabeth Swann in the highly successful film franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean. Her portrayal of a strong-willed and independent character garnered critical acclaim and established her as a rising star. For a while that role defined her, to the point Knightley claimed she felt "caged in" by the franchise.
Following this success, Knightley went on to appear in numerous other notable films. She showcased her versatility by taking on diverse roles such as Cecilia Tallis in Atonement, Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, and Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game. Her performances were consistently praised for their depth and emotional range.
However, when it comes to her involvement in the Star Wars franchise, many fans are left wondering who she played in those iconic movies. In a way, it was her true breakout role - but many fans just don't know who exactly she played.
In fact, Knightley had a small but memorable role in The Phantom Menace. She portrayed Sabé, the loyal handmaiden and decoy for Queen Padmé Amidala. Knightley's resemblance to Natalie Portman, who played Queen Amidala herself, was so striking that they were often mistaken for each other.
The Phantom Menace was a massive box-office success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. This means that Knightley likely earned a significant amount of money from the film's profits.
In addition to her salary, Knightley may have also earned money from merchandise sales and other promotional activities related to the film. According to Forbes, her total earnings from The Phantom Menace could be as high as $1 million.
Did Keira Knightley And Natalie Portman Get Along While Making Star Wars: The Phantom Menace?
On the flip side, Natalie Portman played Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Padmé was the queen of Naboo, a small planet in the Galactic Republic. She was a wise and compassionate leader, and she was determined to protect her people from harm. She was also a skilled diplomat, and she was able to use her wits and her charm to negotiate peace between the Republic and the Trade Federation.
Padmé was also a close friend and eventual lover of Anakin Skywalker, a young Jedi Knight. Their relationship was forbidden by the Jedi Order, but they could not deny their love for each other. Padmé and Anakin were married in secret, and they had two children together, Luke and Leia.
In addition to Padmé Amidala, Natalie Portman also played Cordé in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Cordé was one of Padmé's handmaidens, and she was a skilled actor who could often be mistaken for Padmé herself. Portman's performance as Cordé was praised by critics, and it showed her range as an actress. In a way, Cordé was a similar character to Knightley's Sabé.
There's rumors Portman could return to the Star Wars franchise, as Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor have recently done so. However, nothing is confirmed as of right now. There's a possibility that if she does return, it could be through a Disney+ TV show.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Portman made between $1 million and $2 million for each film in the prequel trilogy. The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith were all massive box office successes, grossing over $1 billion worldwide each. This means that Portman likely earned a significant amount of money from the films' profits.
Knightley and Portman initially met each other while making The Phantom Menace. The two actresses quickly bonded over their shared experiences in the film, and they have remained close friends ever since. In an interview with The Guardian, Knightley said of Portman that "she's one of my closest friends. We've been through so much together. We've been on the same journey, and we've seen each other grow up".
Portman has said similar things about Knightley, calling her "one of my best friends" and "a sister to me." The two actresses have supported each other through their respective careers, and they have been there for each other through personal challenges as well.
Knightley and Portman have both spoken about the importance of female friendship in their lives. They have said that their friendship has helped them to stay grounded and to be their true selves. They are also role models for young women and have spoken about the importance of supporting other women, and to them, they must "lead by example".
The future is still bright for these two young actresses despite their disappearances from the limelight. Portman is currently filming the film The Banshees of Inisherin with Colin Farrell. She will also be seen in the upcoming film The Pale Blue Eye, based on the novel of the same name by Louis Begley.
Knightley has recently wrapped filming the film The Outfit with Mark Rylance. She will also be seen in the upcoming film Silent Night, a Christmas comedy-drama directed by Camille Griffin. In addition, Knightley is set to star in the film The Essex Serpent for Apple TV+.