The cast of Black Swan along with its director, Darren Aronofsky, recently reminisced about the time Aronofsky tried to provoke a rivalry between lead actresses Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis during the shoot. The film, a horror-thriller released in 2010, features a ballet dancer named Nina (Portman) who finds herself in fierce competition with another dancer, Lily (Kunis), for the main role in Swan Lake.
Black Swan was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Aronofsky, with Portman securing the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Nina.
As Black Swan approaches its 15th anniversary in December, Portman, Kunis, and Aronofsky spoke with Vogue about their experiences during the film’s production, highlighting Aronofsky’s subtle efforts to set Portman and Kunis against each other off-camera. Aronofsky himself admitted that his intention was to “make them argue.” However, both actresses quickly caught on to his tactics and turned it into a humorous situation. Below are his comments:
Aronofsky: I thought I was being a clever director by trying to get them to argue. Both Mila and Natalie realized almost immediately what I was up to and started mocking me, so it soon became an inside joke among us. They’re both extremely intelligent and caught on to my scheme right away. Does anyone recall it differently?
Portman discussed her deep connection with Aronofsky, describing it as a “mind meld.” She recounted how Aronofsky isolated her and Kunis, and made early remarks about Kunis’s excellent dancing skills, which Portman praised. Kunis shared that Aronofsky misled her about Portman’s work schedule, which she later found out was incorrect. Their remarks are as follows:
Portman: I recall being kept apart from Mila and that we weren’t together much off-set. Early on, Darren mentioned something like, “You know, Nat, Mila is dancing so well.” And I responded, “Of course she is! She’s incredibly talented, I adore her, and I’m thrilled she’s excelling!”
Kunis: Darren told me, “Nat is pushing herself hard, not even resting on weekends.” When I messaged Nat about it, she replied, “…No, I’m not?” That’s when we figured out Darren’s game, but it was all playful.
Portman: Working on Black Swan was the first time I felt completely in sync with a director, where we could effortlessly communicate and unlock new aspects of the scenes we were working on.
Implications for Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan
Portman and Kunis have maintained a friendship over the years, which likely contributed to the ineffectiveness of Aronofsky’s tactics. In the same interview, Portman mentioned that she had suggested Kunis for the role of Lily, citing her background in ballet. Kunis corrected that she had only “danced once,” indicating that Portman had embellished her experience to the director.
Initially, Aronofsky had envisioned Portman portraying both Nina and Lily, but his perspective shifted after discussing with Kunis. The strong bond between Portman and Kunis played a significant role in shaping the film. Portman also expressed that working closely with a friend was enjoyable until it came to shooting a challenging scene like a sex scene.
A remastered version of Black Swan is scheduled for release in IMAX on August 21 and 24, accompanied by a limited-edition, double-sided poster exclusive to the re-release. Additionally, a limited-edition capsule collection from costume designer Rodarte will be launched in December.
Analyzing Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis’s Performances in Black Swan
The compelling rivalry between Lily and Nina on screen believably mirrors the theme of female competition. Despite the psychological tension in the film, this did not seep into the actual production environment. Aronofsky, known for his dedicated approach and use of handheld cameras throughout most of the filming, tried an unusual method to foster real tension among the stars. Although it was not entirely successful, it underscores his commitment to crafting Black Swan into a profoundly authentic and psychologically engaging film.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
