Marvel Actor on Why He Couldn’t Play Natalie Portman’s Father in Star Wars

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Ray Winstone, a well-known English actor with a career stretching over 40 years, recently shared the story of why he didn’t get a role in *Star Wars*. Despite appearing in major films with directors like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, and even a Marvel movie (*Black Widow*), the 68-year-old actor didn’t pass the audition to play Natalie Portman’s father, Padmé Amidala’s father, in the film. He’s known for roles in films like *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* and *The Departed*.

Ray Winstone on why he failed audition to play Padmé Amidala’s father in Star Wars

Actor Ewan Winstone recently shared that he didn’t get a role as Padmé Amidala’s father because he was intoxicated during the audition. He admitted he’d been out all night and immediately felt he wasn’t right for the part. However, instead of being told directly, George Lucas had someone else deliver the news, which Winstone found offensive.

Winstone previously said he met Lucas at a hotel in London’s West End. He thought Lucas seemed jet-lagged, noticing he was yawning and didn’t acknowledge him when he entered the room. Winstone recalled jokingly suggesting they both take a short nap before he left, and added that he thought films relying heavily on blue screen effects would be incredibly dull. (Source: Star Wars Aficionado)

Notably, Winstone has worked on numerous projects featuring extensive visual effects and green screen technology, such as the film Black Widow.

Winstone and Lucas later collaborated on “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Winstone told Far Out that George Lucas didn’t seem to hold any past disagreements against him, saying, “He didn’t remember [what happened], or if he did, he didn’t take it to heart.”

Graeme Blundell played Padmé’s father, Ruwee Naberrie, in the 2005 film *Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith*.

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2025-10-08 14:26