Portman To Move 'Mountain'

Posted Wednesday, May 8, 2002 at 3:40 PM Central

by John Couture

Natalie Portman has always shown great reserve in choosing her movie roles. She turned down the starring role in 1997's Lolita, opposite Jeremy Irons, because of the graphic subject matter, which allowed Dominique Swain the spotlight. In retrospect, her decision was genius.

Now, as her second Star Wars film (Attack Of The Clones) is about to open in theaters, Natalie is busy securing work after she leaves George Lucas' galaxy far, far away. Her latest endeavor is a part in the much anticipated Cold Mountain.

Cold Mountain tells the story of a wounded Confederate soldier (Jude Law) who struggles to make it home to his sweetheart (Nicole Kidman), who is left to save the family farm with her sister (Renee Zellweger) after her father dies. It wasn't immediately clear which part Portman would play.