Natalie Portman seeks roles that contrast to her life

Natalie Portman wants escapism in her roles credit:Bang Showbiz
Natalie Portman wants escapism in her roles credit:Bang Showbiz

Natalie Portman prefers roles that differ from her real life situation.

The 43-year-old star's film career has spanned three decades and she explained that she now sets out to avoid parts that she can easily relate to.

Quizzed on her criteria for choosing projects, Natalie told Total Film magazine: "I think that the main thing that's changed is that I specifically look for things that are not like my life now.

"I don't know that I ever did things that were like my life, but I wasn't as conscious about it. And now I'm like, I love my life. I love my kids and my friends. I don't want to go and pretend and be with other kids and friends.

"I want to do something that's an experience that I wouldn't get to have normally, like exploring what my grandmother's existence was like, or, you know, playing a rock star or an astronaut or something that feels like, 'Oh, I'm getting to dip my toes into another existence.'"

The 'Black Swan' star admits that she finds it easiest to perform when she can conceal herself with costumes and accents.

Natalie said: "I think it's always helpful to have these markers of what's different from you.

"It immediately makes it someone who's not you when you have an accent, or when you're dressed differently. Those things are helpful. It's the hardest, actually, when you don't have that to hide behind."

Portman also explained that she doesn't get disheartened if one of her films doesn't perform brilliantly at the cinema as she is confident that audiences will discover it via other means.

The Oscar-winning actress said: "That's the beauty of the accessibility of films now, online. I do feel like people will discover the things that are beautiful in their time.

"Obviously, I just hope, always, for the opportunity to keep making films. That's the only thing – I'm like, 'Oh, I hope they let me make another one.'"