CLASSIC IMAGE: COSTUMED CHARM!

Being fictional royalty (of a sort) doesn't mean you can't have fun, as a very young Natalie Portman proves in this lovely posed image of the actress, wearing her most famous Queen Amidala costume. Originally taken during 1999 EPISODE I magazine publicity, it was exclusively used in the US Premiere film title, from respected British photographer Nigel Parry.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: COSTUME DRAMA!

In mourning for both the captured people and culture of Naboo, Queen Amidala's decoy Sabe (Keira Knightley) onscreen wears a funereal black outfit when also apprehended by the Trade Federation within the Theed Palace. However, in costume reference and publicity images showcased here (taken in 1997 and 1999), Natalie Portman would wear the costume in Padme's true guise as the Queen. In total, eleven gorgeous and iconic costumes were crated for Queen Amidala/Sabe for EPISODE I.

Natalie Portman talks EPISODE I:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ra91EqeuYA

"He (George Lucas) gave me an overview of when they'd shoot the three movies and promised me I wouldn't have to miss any school, and he pretty much offered the part to me then. They'd drawn all the queens with my features, even though I hadn't been cast yet. I remember getting excited and thinking, "Hey, that looks like me."

Natalie Portman - US Premiere magazine - June 2002

With thanks to the original Across the Stars costume reference website.

An image from a later posed session for the US Premiere film magazine of 1999. Photo by Nigel Parry.

AFICIONADO ARCHIVE: THE STARS OF '99!

It's back to the summer of 1999 now, as the world awaited the new Prequel STAR WARS films. The popular US film-magazine PREMIERE was one of the first titles to have access-all-areas material linked to the film, it's stars and its ground-breaking behind the scenes making. They also did four quite beautiful covers on the films key heroic characters, and one alongside the Saga's creator, George Lucas.

Great days they were, and it's going to be fun seeing all the new STAR WARS actors/characters gracing the various magazine covers in a few years time...