Natalie Portman and Ugo Bienvenu discuss their ‘extraordinary’ animated Oscar contender ‘Arco’

Twenty years ago, Natalie Portman took her last breath in George Lucas‘ far, far away galaxy as part of the grand climax of 2005’s prequel trilogy-capping Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith. Flash-forward two decades and the Oscar-winning actress has gone from hanging around a bunch of droids to voicing a droid in Arco, the animated Oscar contender from French illustrator and filmmaker, Ugo Bienvenu. Portman is a producer on the film and voices two characters in the English-language version that’s opening in theaters on Nov. 14.

Arco follows the titular 30th century time-traveler, who crash-lands in the year 2075 and has to find a way back… to the future. He’s aided in his quest by his new 21st century friend, Iris, a young girl who is being raised by a nanny ‘bot named Mikky while her parents are busy with their jobs. Mikky’s voice is actually a blend of Portman and Mark Ruffalo, who portray Iris’s absent mother and father, respectively.

More from Gold Derby

“It was a dream come true,” Portman jokes to Gold Derby in our latest Awards Magnet podcast. “Finally, I got to be the droid instead of just acting opposite the droid!” Portman credits Bienvenu with that idea, which echoes the casting for the French-language version. “It makes sense that if you have a nanny bot, you would want it to embody the best of the mother and father,” the actress notes.

But finally getting to do her own take on C-3PO wasn’t Portman’s only attraction to Arco. The actress remembers seeing an early 40-minute cut of the film that she describes as “extraordinary,” and that screening convinced her to come aboard as a producer. And with the 15th anniversary of her Oscar-winning star turn in Darren Aronofsky‘s Black Swan approaching, Portman reflects on her emotional acceptance speech when she paid tribute to the artisans that aren’t always recognized during the awards cycle.

Watch the latest Awards Magnet episode above or listen along on your podcast platform of choice. And be sure to send your comments, questions and fan theories about how Padme may have survived her untimely Sith death to [email protected].

Oscars Nominations 2026

Best Picture Best Director Best Actress Best Actor Best Supporting Actress Best Supporting Actor Best Adapted Screenplay Best Original Screenplay Best Casting Best Cinematography Best Costume Design Best Film Editing Best Makeup and Hairstyling Best Production Design Best Score Best Sound Best Visual Effects Best Animated Feature Best International Film