How Natalie Portman’s New Murder Mystery Highlights the Ideal Return for Her Character in Star Wars

Natalie Portman’s recent performance in the highly praised 2024 mystery series Lady in the Lake has sparked renewed excitement and speculation regarding her potential return to the Star Wars franchise as Padmé Amidala. With ongoing discussions about Hayden Christensen’s reprisal as Anakin Skywalker in the second season of Ahsoka, alongside possible appearances by Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, the prospects seem increasingly believable. The Ahsoka finale notably indicated that Anakin continues to exist as a Force ghost on Peridea, implying his connection to ongoing narratives within the universe.

While rumors about McGregor and Christensen’s return are intriguing, they do not carry the same surprise factor. Both actors have expressed openness to revisiting their roles. The more shocking speculation, however, is revolving around Natalie Portman’s return as Padmé Amidala. Although these rumors are currently unfounded and should be viewed with caution, Portman’s recent project has laid a rich foundation for her character’s return in the Star Wars timeline.

Exploring De-Aged Natalie Portman through Lady in the Lake

Successfully Nailing De-Aging: A Look at Lady in the Lake

Mr. Durst and Maddie (Natalie Portman) in a Lady in the Lake flashback

Both Christensen and McGregor made their comebacks in the Star Wars universe, featuring prominently in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka. In these series, advanced de-aging technology was utilized to bring the characters to life during their respective flashbacks. However, concerns linger about whether Portman’s return could be convincingly executed, especially in light of her character’s fate in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, where Padmé does not have the option to return as a Force ghost.

Portman’s potential return would necessitate the use of sophisticated de-aging technology. This prospect could be intimidating, yet Lady in the Lake has demonstrated the effectiveness of digital de-aging through its portrayal of Portman as a teenager. One noteworthy accomplishment of the series was its ability to sidestep the pitfalls of the “uncanny valley,” a common issue associated with de-aging in previous Star Wars projects.

Indeed, this project revealed the feasibility of de-aging Portman effectively, offering hope that the Star Wars creators might feel more confident embracing this technology to reintroduce Padmé Amidala into the saga. The successes in Lady in the Lake could serve as a prototype for future installments of the franchise.

Could Ahsoka Season 2 Leverage the World Between Worlds for Padmé’s Return?

Embracing De-Aging Technology: A Star Wars Tradition

The World Between Worlds has already showcased its potential to manipulate narrative timelines within the Star Wars universe. This concept could serve as a compelling narrative device in Ahsoka season 2 for bringing Portman back, particularly since it made an appearance in season 1. However, utilizing it again might be less likely, as creators often wish to avoid redundancy in storytelling. Nevertheless, there are alternative possibilities, such as Padmé appearing in flashback sequences related to Anakin or Ahsoka.

As speculation surrounding Portman’s return continues, fans remain hopeful yet cautious. The long-desired announcement for a live-action Clone Wars series has often been discussed, with hints during season 1 of Ahsoka. Yet, the feasibility of incorporating Natalie Portman into Ahsoka season 2 remains uncertain, even with Lady in the Lake setting a high standard for the use of de-aging technology.

Source & Images