Natalie Portman has recalled that the negative reaction to the Star Wars prequel trilogy left her believing audiences considered her a “horrible actress”. The remarks underline how criticism of the films affected some of their younger cast members, despite the trilogy later gaining a more appreciative following.

Portman played Padmé Amidala in all three prequels, released between 1999 and 2005, alongside actors including Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor. She said the experience made it harder to find work afterwards, although she went on to build an acclaimed career that included an Academy Award for Black Swan.