To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the critically acclaimed thriller Black Swan, the movie is making a sensational return to theaters in Imax on August 21 and 24. Directed by the visionary Darren Aronofsky, the film has continued to captivate audiences with its thrilling psychological drama. Recently, Aronofsky reunited with stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis for an exclusive interview with Vogue, where they reminisced about the movie’s milestone anniversary and shared intriguing behind-the-scenes details.
Aronofsky’s Failed Attempt to Create On-Screen Tension
During the interview, Aronofsky revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes tactic he employed. The director admitted that he attempted to fabricate a rivalry between the two leading ladies to reflect the palpable tension seen on-screen.
“My take is that I was trying to be a sneaky director and make them argue,” said Aronofsky. However, his plan didn’t go as intended. “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.”
Uncovering the Friendship Between Portman and Kunis
Portman and Kunis fondly remembered working alongside Aronofsky. Both actresses shared accounts of how the director tried to foster competition between them through subtle psychological cues. Recalling one incident, Portman commented, “I remember being separated from Mila and that we weren’t in the same space a lot when we weren’t shooting. Darren would try baiting me with comments about Mila’s talent and dedication, but I just responded, ‘She’s so talented, and I love her so much.’”
Kunis had similar stories to share. “Darren would tell me, ‘Nat is working really hard—she’s not even taking weekends off.’ But then I’d text Nat, and she’d laugh it off. That’s when we realized what Darren was up to, and it just became a running joke.”
A Collaborative Experience That Created a Masterpiece
Despite Aronofsky’s playful antics, both actors expressed immense gratitude for the collaborative experience. Portman revealed, “Black Swan was the first time I felt like I had a mind-meld with a director. Every conversation helped unlock a deeper layer of my performance.” Kunis added, “People assumed Darren was an intense, tortured soul, but he was incredibly kind. He even took us to see Twilight on a day off!”
Their combined efforts resulted in a cinematic masterpiece. Black Swan earned $329.4 million globally, with Portman securing her first Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also received four additional Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Celebrating 15 Years of Cinematic Excellence
As audiences prepare to relive the brilliance of Black Swan in Imax, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the artistic and emotional journey that made the film a classic. Aronofsky’s next film, Caught Stealing, is set to hit theaters on August 29. Cinephiles have much to look forward to this summer as they celebrate timeless cinematic achievements and explore new masterpieces from one of Hollywood’s greatest directors.
