Director Darren Aronofsky revealed that he attempted to provoke a rivalry between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis while filming the 2010 ballet thriller Black Swan. Despite his efforts to encourage conflict, the two actresses quickly saw through his plan and maintained a positive relationship on set. This anecdote surfaced during a Vogue interview commemorating the 15th anniversary of the film.
Actors Recognized and Dismissed Manipulative Tactics
Aronofsky shared,
“I was trying to be a sneaky director and make them argue,”
and added,
“Mila and Natalie both realized very quickly what I was doing and made fun of me, so it quickly became a joke that we all understood. They’re both very clever and were instantly privy to whatever trick I was playing.”
The director’s attempt to seed discord was met with understanding and humor by Portman and Kunis, preventing any real feud from developing.
Actors Recall Being Kept Apart to Increase Onscreen Tension
Natalie Portman remembered that she and Mila Kunis were intentionally kept apart during production when not shooting.
“I remember being separated from Mila and that we weren’t in the same space a lot when we weren’t shooting,”
Portman said. She also recalled a moment when Aronofsky commented on Kunis’s dancing, to which she responded,
“Of course she is! She’s so f—ing talented and I love her so much and I’m happy she’s doing a great job!”
Mila Kunis Saw Through Director’s Strategy Early On
Mila Kunis explained how she quickly uncovered Aronofsky’s ruse.
“Darren would tell me, ‘Nat is working really, really hard. She’s not even taking Saturdays and Sundays off,’”
Kunis said.
“Then I would text Nat and she’d be like, ‘…No, I’m not?’ I think that’s how we figured out what Darren was up to, but it was all in good fun.”
Their mutual awareness defused any manufactured tension entirely.
Significance of Their Professional Relationship During Filming
Despite the director’s attempts to stir up conflict, Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis maintained a respectful and supportive dynamic throughout the production of Black Swan. Their ability to recognize and reject Aronofsky’s tactics highlights their professionalism and intelligence. This camaraderie likely strengthened their performances and contributed to the film‘s critical acclaim. The story also provides insight into Aronofsky’s unconventional directing style and the resilience of the film’s lead actresses.
