Did Natalie Portman Lost The Role of Leonardo's Lover Because of "Inappropriate Age"?
Although many of us would want it, Natalie Portman and Leonardo have yet to appear together on television. Leonardo captured the hearts of young ladies with the character of Romeo in the motion picture Romeo & Juliet before becoming well-known around the world with the legendary blockbuster Titanic (1996). With her lovely beauty in the movie, actress Claire Danes joined Leonardo in making a name for herself.
Few people are aware, though, that Juliet was originally supposed to be played by someone else until Claire Danes were cast. And that is none other than beauty Natalie Portman when she was considered the first choice of the film crew. So what is the reason why Natalie Portman lost the role to Claire Danes?
Leonardo was known to be 21 years old when 'Romeo and Juliet' was filmed, which is a suitable age for a love role. Although the director has stated that he wants to find an actor who is the same age as the character in the movie, Natalie was only 13 years old (Juliet in the original story is also 13 years old like Natalie Portman). Natalie satisfies the requirements for matching the character's age. However, is it natural for a 13-year-old actor to portray a romance with a 21-year-old actor? Even the film's casting was the subject of numerous controversies at the time.
And perhaps for that reason, Claire Danes rather than Natalie Portman received the role of Juliet in the end. Natalie herself discussed this incident when she stated: "A relationship was actually quite awkward when I was 13 and Leo was 21. The crew and the director of the movie thought it was inappropriate. Both parties decided that I should leave the role because acting in a melodrama with a partner who is so different in age is inappropriate."
Few people are aware, though, that Juliet was originally supposed to be played by someone else until Claire Danes were cast. And that is none other than beauty Natalie Portman when she was considered the first choice of the film crew. So what is the reason why Natalie Portman lost the role to Claire Danes?
Leonardo was known to be 21 years old when 'Romeo and Juliet' was filmed, which is a suitable age for a love role. Although the director has stated that he wants to find an actor who is the same age as the character in the movie, Natalie was only 13 years old (Juliet in the original story is also 13 years old like Natalie Portman). Natalie satisfies the requirements for matching the character's age. However, is it natural for a 13-year-old actor to portray a romance with a 21-year-old actor? Even the film's casting was the subject of numerous controversies at the time.
And perhaps for that reason, Claire Danes rather than Natalie Portman received the role of Juliet in the end. Natalie herself discussed this incident when she stated: "A relationship was actually quite awkward when I was 13 and Leo was 21. The crew and the director of the movie thought it was inappropriate. Both parties decided that I should leave the role because acting in a melodrama with a partner who is so different in age is inappropriate."
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