“They’re both very clever and were instantly privy to whatever trick I was playing,” the filmmaker remembered.

Darren Aronofsky recalls trying to start a feud between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis while filming Black Swan

"They're both very clever and were instantly privy to whatever trick I was playing," the filmmaker remembered.

By Wesley Stenzel

on August 16, 2025 05:27PM EDT

Leave a Comment

Natalie Portman, Darren Aronofsky, and Mila Kunis at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Credit:

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

- Darren Aronofsky admitted that he tried to start a feud between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis during *Black Swan*.

- Portman said that she was "separated" from her costar for most of production.

- Kunis said the two actresses quickly "figured out" the filmmaker's scheme.

Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis got along splendidly on the set of *Black Swan* — despite director Darren Aronofsky's best efforts.

The *Requiem for a Dream* filmmaker discussed trying to sow the seeds of discontent between the two actresses of his 2010 ballet horror-drama in an interview with *Vogue* celebrating the 15th anniversary of the film.

"I was trying to be a sneaky director and make them argue," Aronofsky remembered. "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."

Natalie Portman; Darren Aronofsky; Mila Kunis.

Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection; Hector Vivas/Getty; Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection

In the same interview, Portman and Kunis both reflected on Aronofsky's unusual strategy for crafting onscreen tension. "I remember being separated from Mila and that we weren't in the same space a lot when we weren't shooting," Portman recalled. "Darren made some comment early on, like, 'Ya know, Nat, Mila's dancing so well.' And I was like, '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!'"

Kunis said she immediately saw that Aronofsky's lies didn't add up. "Darren would tell me, 'Nat is working really, really hard. She's not even taking Saturdays and Sundays off,'" the *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* actress remembered. "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."

Natalie Portman's son ambushes her into surprise video call with streamer Marlon LuGa

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher won't return for 'That '90s Show' season 2

It should come as no surprise that Portman and Kunis were chummy on set, as the *Star Wars* actress was the one who recommended Kunis for the movie in the first place.

"We had been friends for years and I remember being at the Rose Bowl Flea Market with her, talking about this ballet movie I was making with Darren," Portman remembered. "Mila said, 'I remember when I would take off my pointe shoes…' and I was like, 'Wait, you did ballet?!' I immediately called Darren and said there was this amazing actress with ballet experience who would be perfect for Lily."

Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis in 'Black Swan'.

Fox Searchlight Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

And despite Aronofsky's trickery, Kunis had nothing but praise for the filmmaker. "Every journalist wanted to know how scary Darren was: 'How intense was his set? How intense was he?'" she recalled. "I would say, 'He's actually a really kind, lovely guy who took us to see *Twilight* one time because we had the day off.' And journalists were always so disappointed that he wasn't some tortured soul who treated us like garbage."

Portman, who won an Oscar for the film, agreed.* *"*Black Swan* was deeply challenging but it was a wonderful experience," she said. "Our set wasn't silly, but everyone was kind and respected one another."

*** Sign up for *'s* free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.***

A remastered version of *Black Swan* will hit IMAX screens in theaters nationwide on Aug. 21 and 24.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Movies”