Natalie Portman Poised For Big Year

Posted Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 4:36 PM Central

by John Couture

It always seems that just when you think Natalie Portman is going to take off as the next Hollywood 'It' actress, along comes another Star Wars to knock her down a few pegs. Not that I'm knocking The Phantom Menace or Clones mind you, but they're not quite a star making vehicle for women (Carrie Fisher's gold bikini not withstanding).

But, this year, 2003, a full two years removed from the next installment of George Lucas' space opera, could very well be the year that Nat takes Hollywood by storm. She's currently shooting Head In The Clouds with Penelope Cruz and Jay Rodan. After that wraps, she's off to play the female lead in Zach Braff's directorial debut Large's Arc which he also wrote and plays the male lead. If you're a fan of NBC's 'Scrubs,' you surely know him and if not, you will soon.

The year culminates with one of this year's event pictures, Cold Mountain. The early buzz on this picture is Oscar Golden and word has it that Nat steals the show from the likes of Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger.

Oh, did we mention that Natalie is on track to graduate from Harvard this Spring with a degree in psychology?

The future is indeed bright with this mega star on the rise...