Editing Natalie Portman (section)

===2007–2015: Career expansion and ''Black Swan''===
[[File:Natalie Portman Cannes 2008.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Portman in 2008|Portman at the [[2008 Cannes Film Festival]], where she served as a jury member]]

Portman began 2007 by replacing [[Jodie Foster]] in [[Wong Kar-wai]]'s romantic drama ''[[My Blueberry Nights]]'', which was his first English-language film. For her role as a gambler, she trained with a poker coach.<ref name="elle08">{{cite news|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a9139/the-natural-19082/|title=The Natural|last=Levy|first=Ariel|date=March 5, 2008|work=Elle|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807102705/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a9139/the-natural-19082/|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Richard Corliss]] of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine believed that "for once she's not playing a waif or a child princess but a mature, full-bodied woman" and commended her "vibrancy, grittiness and ache, all performed with a virtuosa's easy assurance".<ref>{{Cite magazine |url = http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1621755,00.html |title = Blue Skies and Blueberry Nights |magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |first1=Richard | last1=Corliss |author-link=Richard Corliss |first2=Mary | last2=Corliss |date = May 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100624122901/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1621755,00.html |archive-date = June 24, 2010}}</ref> Her next appearance was in ''[[Hotel Chevalier]]'', a short film from [[Wes Anderson]], which served as a prolog to his feature ''[[The Darjeeling Limited]]'' (in which Portman had a cameo).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119059131017936814 |title=Coming soon: a new take on the old double bill |first=Peter |last=Sanders |date=September 24, 2007 |access-date=July 30, 2010 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121174930/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119059131017936814 |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In the short, she and [[Jason Schwartzman]] play former lovers who reunite in a Paris hotel room. For the first time, Portman performed an extended nude scene; she was later disappointed at the undue focus on it and she subsequently swore off appearing nude again.<ref name="guardian07"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/natalie-portman-no-more-nude-scenes/ |title=Natalie Portman: no more nude scenes |work=[[CBS News]] |date=January 8, 2010 |access-date=July 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317164528/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/08/entertainment/main6072591.shtml |archive-date=March 17, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Keen to work in different genres, Portman accepted a role in the children's film ''[[Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium]]'', playing an employee of a magical toy store.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://movieweb.com/natalie-portman-relives-her-youth-in-mr-magoriums-wonder-emporium/ |title=Natalie Portman Relives Her Youth in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium |first=Julian |last=Roman |publisher=[[MovieWeb]] |date=November 16, 2007 |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807104400/https://movieweb.com/natalie-portman-relives-her-youth-in-mr-magoriums-wonder-emporium/ |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She also appeared in [[Paul McCartney]]'s music video "[[Dance Tonight]]" from his album ''[[Memory Almost Full]]'', directed by [[Michel Gondry]].<ref name="people magazine">{{Cite news |url = http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20040081,00.html |title = Natalie Portman Stars in New Paul McCartney Video |first = Liz |last = Corcoran |date = May 24, 2007 |work = [[People (magazine)|People]] |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100420210138/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20040081,00.html |archive-date = April 20, 2010}}</ref>

[[Scarlett Johansson]] and Portman portrayed rival sisters [[Mary Boleyn|Mary]] and [[Anne Boleyn]], respectively, in the period film ''[[The Other Boleyn Girl (2008 film)|The Other Boleyn Girl]]'' (2008). She was excited by the opportunity to work opposite another actress her age, bemoaning that such casting was rare in film.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-more-than-a-woman-789103.html |title=Natalie Portman – more than a woman |first=Gill |last=Pringle |work=[[The Independent]] |date=February 26, 2008 |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807153055/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/natalie-portman-more-than-a-woman-789103.html |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Derek Elley of ''Variety'' was critical of Portman's English accent and wrote that she "doesn't quite bring the necessary heft to make Anne a truly dominant power player".<ref>{{cite news |title=The Other Boleyn Girl |first=Derek |last=Elley |work=Variety |date=February 15, 2008 |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/the-other-boleyn-girl-4-1200547995/ |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807141123/https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/the-other-boleyn-girl-4-1200547995/ |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film had modest box-office earnings.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) | publisher = Box Office Mojo | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=otherboleyngirl.htm | access-date = August 7, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170907172605/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=otherboleyngirl.htm | archive-date = September 7, 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref> She served as a jury member of the [[2008 Cannes Film Festival]] and also launched her own production company, named handsomecharlie films, after her late dog.<ref name="elle08"/><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Can Cannes Still Do It? |first1=Richard |last1=Corliss |first2=Mary |last2=Corliss |magazine=Time |date=May 14, 2008 |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1779399,00.html |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807141124/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1779399,00.html |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Portman's directorial debut, the short film ''[[Eve (2008 film)|Eve]]'', opened the short-film screenings at the [[65th Venice International Film Festival]].<ref name="Eve2">{{cite news |first=Eric J. | last=Lyman |date = September 1, 2008 |url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i70662f7dd9d6f3c4f7b7701a654be195 |title = Venice festival all about 'Eve' on Monday |work = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date = September 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080906010934/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i70662f7dd9d6f3c4f7b7701a654be195 |archive-date = September 6, 2008 }}</ref> It is about a young woman who goes to her grandmother's romantic date, and Portman drew inspiration for the older character (played by Lauren Bacall) from her own grandmother.<ref name="Eve">{{cite news |first=Silvia | last=Aloisi |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venice-portman-idUSL23720720080902 |title = Portman makes directorial debut in Venice |work = Reuters |date = September 2, 2008 |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807141122/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venice-portman-idUSL23720720080902 |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A poorly received adaptation of [[Ayelet Waldman]]'s novel ''[[Love and Other Impossible Pursuits]]'', entitled ''[[The Other Woman (2009 film)|The Other Woman]]'', marked Portman's first film role of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kevin | last=Jagernauth |url = https://www.indiewire.com/2010/12/natalie-portmans-love-and-other-impossible-pursuits-now-titled-the-other-woman-121327/ |title = Natalie Portman's 'Love And Other Impossible Pursuits' Now Titled 'The Other Woman' |publisher = IndieWire |date = December 14, 2010 |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807143303/https://www.indiewire.com/2010/12/natalie-portmans-love-and-other-impossible-pursuits-now-titled-the-other-woman-121327/ |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> She appeared in a faux perfume commercial called ''Greed'', directed by [[Roman Polanski]], and in the anthology film ''[[New York, I Love You]]'', she directed a segment and also starred in a different segment directed by [[Mira Nair]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/03/moca-finds-star-power-in-greed-by-franceso-vezzoli-.html |date = March 18, 2011 |title = MOCA gets its hands on Francesco Vezzoli's 'Greed,' starring Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams |work = Los Angeles Times |access-date = January 24, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180124141102/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/03/moca-finds-star-power-in-greed-by-franceso-vezzoli-.html |archive-date = January 24, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/10/16/odes-to-new-york-yield-more-misses-than-hits/|title='New York, I Love You' review: Movie stars Natalie Portman, Bradley Cooper, Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 16, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2015|last=Phillips|first=Michael|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102195416/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-10-16/entertainment/0910150629_1_natalie-portman-bradley-cooper-shia-labeouf|archive-date=January 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Portman next took on a role opposite [[Tobey Maguire]] and [[Jake Gyllenhaal]] in the drama film ''[[Brothers (2009 film)|Brothers]]'', a remake of the 2004 Danish [[Brothers (2004 film)|film of the same name]]. Her role was that of a war widow, for which she spoke with military wives to prepare. The film was shot during the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike]], and Portman found it challenging to shoot certain scenes without a written script.<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter | last=Debruge |url = https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/natalie-portman-between-brothers-1118012281/ |title = Natalie Portman between 'Brothers' |work = Variety |date = December 4, 2008 |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190807143301/https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/natalie-portman-between-brothers-1118012281/ |archive-date = August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Claudia Puig]] of ''[[USA Today]]'' found her to be "subdued and reactive in a part that doesn't call for her to do much else".<ref>{{cite news |first=Claudia | last=Puig |url = https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-12-04-brothers04_ST_N.htm |title = Natalie Portman between 'Brothers' |work = [[USA Today]] |date = December 4, 2009 |access-date = August 7, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171209024131/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-12-04-brothers04_ST_N.htm |archive-date = December 9, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After producing and co-starring alongside [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]] in the black comedy ''[[Hesher (film)|Hesher]]'' (2010),<ref>{{cite news|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/05/review-even-joseph-gordon-levitt-natalie-portman-cant-save-the-oddly-off-hesher-118712/|title=Review: Even Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Natalie Portman Can't Save The Oddly Off 'Hesher'|publisher=IndieWire|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807144833/https://www.indiewire.com/2011/05/review-even-joseph-gordon-levitt-natalie-portman-cant-save-the-oddly-off-hesher-118712/|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Portman played a ballerina overwhelmed with the prospect of performing ''[[Swan Lake]]'' in [[Darren Aronofsky]]'s psychological horror film ''[[Black Swan (film)|Black Swan]]''. She was trained by the professional ballerina [[Mary Helen Bowers]], and in preparation, she trained for five to eight hours daily for six months and lost {{convert|20|lb|kg|0}}.<ref>Buck, Joan Juliet. [http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/natalie-portman-january-2011-cover/ "Natalie Portman: Spreading Her Wings"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106212538/http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/natalie-portman-january-2011-cover/ |date=January 6, 2011 }}, Vogue.com, January 2011; retrieved January 12, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hUfd9gtRDupGxtcodelz8ZG_MfsA |title=Portman's "hyper" ballet training |publisher=[[Press Association]] |date=September 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5sQPxNTef?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hUfd9gtRDupGxtcodelz8ZG_MfsA |archive-date=September 1, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/mary-helen-bowers-on-ballet-beautiful-5955593 |title = Mary Helen Bowers on 'Ballet Beautiful' |newspaper = [[Women's Wear Daily]] |date = June 12, 2012 |access-date = November 20, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140409131814/http://www.wwd.com/eye/lifestyle/mary-helen-bowers-on-ballet-beautiful-5955593 |archive-date = April 9, 2014}}</ref> Her performance was acclaimed;<ref>{{cite news|last=Collett-White |first=Mike |url=https://abcnews.go.com/print?id=11543983 |title=Natalie Portman Earns Early Awards Buzz for Ballet Drama |publisher=ABC |agency=Reuters |date=September 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210518184219/https://www.webcitation.org/5sS8cunbN?url=http://abcnews.go.com/print%3Fid=11543983 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 18, 2021}}</ref> writing for ''Empire'', Dan Jolin found her to be "simultaneously at her most vulnerable and her most predatory, at once frostily brittle and raunchily malleable [...] before peaking at the film's denouement with a raw, alluring showstopper of a performance."<ref>{{cite news |last=Jolin |first=Dan |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/black-swan-review/ |title=Black Swan Review |work=Empire |date=July 27, 2009 |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806143541/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/black-swan-review/ |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Black Swan'' emerged as a [[sleeper hit]], grossing over $329&nbsp;million worldwide against a $13&nbsp;million budget, and earned Portman several awards, including the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-16-la-et-0116-black-swan-20110116-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title='Black Swan's' risks pay off | date=January 16, 2011 | access-date=May 7, 2012 | first1=Steven | last1=Zeitchik | first2=Ben | last2=Fritz | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614114839/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/16/entertainment/la-et-0116-black-swan-20110116 | archive-date=June 14, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blackswan.htm |title=Black Swan (2010) |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229145616/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blackswan.htm |archive-date=December 29, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AcademyAward">Duke, Alan. [http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/27/academy.awards "'King's Speech' rules at the 83rd Oscars"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228151740/http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/27/academy.awards/ |date=February 28, 2011 }}, cnn.com, February 28, 2011.</ref> Following her Oscar win, [[Black Swan dance double controversy|controversy]] arose over who performed the bulk of the on-screen dancing in the film.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/25/portman-black-swan-double|title={{-'}}Black Swan' double claims Natalie Portman only did '5 percent' of full-body dance shots in the movie|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401172820/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/25/portman-black-swan-double/|archive-date=April 1, 2011}}</ref> [[Sarah Lane (dancer)|Sarah Lane]], one of Portman's dancing doubles in the film, claimed that the actress performed only about five percent of the full-body shots, adding that she was asked by the film's producers not to speak publicly about it during [[Film awards seasons|awards season]].<ref name="blackswan">{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/28/darren-aronofsky-black-swan-controversy|title={{-'}}Black Swan' director Darren Aronofsky defends Natalie Portman in body-double controversy|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 28, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110331172705/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/28/darren-aronofsky-black-swan-controversy/|archive-date=March 31, 2011}}</ref> Aronofsky defended Portman by insisting that she had performed 80 percent of the on-screen dancing.<ref name="blackswan" />

[[File:Natalie Portman AA 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Portman in 2011|Portman at the [[83rd Academy Awards]] in 2011, where she won the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]]]]

Portman next served as an executive producer for ''[[No Strings Attached (2011 film)|No Strings Attached]]'' (2011), a romantic comedy in which she starred with [[Ashton Kutcher]] as a young couple in a [[casual sex]] relationship. She described the experience of making it as a "palate cleanser" from the intensity of ''Black Swan''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weintraub|first=Steve|url=https://collider.com/natalie-portman-ashton-kutcher-interview-no-strings-attached/|title=No Strings Attached Interview with Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Director Ivan Reitman and Screenwriter Liz Meriwether|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=January 19, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806145117/http://collider.com/natalie-portman-ashton-kutcher-interview-no-strings-attached/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It received unfavorable reviews but was a commercial success.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_strings_attached_2011/ | title=No Strings Attached (2011) | date=January 21, 2011 | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date=July 24, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428150900/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_strings_attached_2011 | archive-date=April 28, 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=friendswithbenefits.htm | title=No Strings Attached (2011) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=April 11, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223183645/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=friendswithbenefits.htm | archive-date=February 23, 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> She next agreed to the film ''[[Your Highness]]'' for the opportunity of playing an athletic and foul-mouthed character, which she believed was rare for actresses.<ref>{{cite news|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/movies/your-highness-stars-danny-mcbride-and-james-franco.html|title=Way Back in Time With Two Friends Who Go Way Back|work=The New York Times|date=April 1, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806150033/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/movies/your-highness-stars-danny-mcbride-and-james-franco.html|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Critics were dismissive of the film's reliance on [[scatological humor]] and it proved to be a [[box-office bomb]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/your_highness|title=Your Highness (2011)|date=April 8, 2011 |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002055558/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/your_highness/|archive-date=October 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|url=https://www.avclub.com/beyond-disappointment-case-file-22-your-highness-1798232983|title=Beyond Disappointment Case File #22: Your Highness|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=August 22, 2012|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806150031/https://film.avclub.com/beyond-disappointment-case-file-22-your-highness-1798232983|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In her final film release of 2011, Portman took on the part of [[Jane Foster (comics)|Jane Foster]], a scientist and love-interest of the [[Thor (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|titular character]] (played by [[Chris Hemsworth]]) in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] superhero film ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]''. She liked the idea of [[Kenneth Branagh]] directing a big-budget film that emphasized character; she signed on to it before receiving a script, and helped develop her part by reading the biography of scientists such as [[Rosalind Franklin]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Grossbreg |title=Natalie Portman's "Weird" Reason for Hooking Up With Thor |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/natalie_portmans_weird_reason_hooking/155129 |work=[[E!]] |date=November 23, 2009 |access-date=October 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913093611/http://www.eonline.com/news/natalie_portmans_weird_reason_hooking/155129 |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/star-wattage-marvel-assembles-the-avengers-for-comic-con-panel-56417/ |title=MARVEL-OUS STAR WATTAGE: Actors Assemble For Comic-Con Panel Including 'The Avengers', 'Captain America', & 'Thor' |date=July 24, 2010 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717060604/http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/star-wattage-marvel-assembles-the-avengers-for-comic-con-panel/ |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/11/19/natalie-portman-says-thor-role-hammers-away-at-cute-stereotypes/ |title=Natalie Portman says 'Thor' role hammers away at 'cute' stereotypes |first1=Amy | last1=Kaufman |first2=Geoff | last2=Boucher |name-list-style=amp |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 19, 2010 |access-date=November 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725153007/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/11/19/natalie-portman-says-thor-role-hammers-away-at-cute-stereotypes/ |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Richard Kuipers of ''Variety'' commended Portman's "sterling work in a thinly written role" for adding dimension to the film's romantic subplot.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kuipers|first=Richard|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/thor-1117945029/|title=Film Review: 'Thor'|work=Variety|date=April 17, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806152122/https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/thor-1117945029/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Thor'' earned $449.3&nbsp;million worldwide to emerge as the [[2011 in film|15th highest-grossing film of 2011]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2011&p=.htm|title=2011 Worldwide Grosses|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161510/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2011&p=.htm|archive-date=August 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, Portman topped ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}} listing of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pomerantz|first=Dorothy|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2012/12/26/natalie-portman-and-kristen-stewart-top-our-list-of-hollywoods-best-actors-for-the-buck/#4fda2829414f|title=Natalie Portman, Kristen Stewart Top Forbes List of Hollywood's Best Actors for the Buck|work=Forbes|date=December 26, 2012|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131051821/http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2012/12/26/natalie-portman-and-kristen-stewart-top-our-list-of-hollywoods-best-actors-for-the-buck/#4fda2829414f|archive-date=January 31, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Her sole screen appearance that year was in [[Paul McCartney]]'s music video "My Valentine", alongside [[Johnny Depp]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman star in 3 new Paul McCartney videos |url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/04/johnny-depp-natalie-portman-in-3-new-paul-mccartney-videos.html |work = Los Angeles Times |access-date = April 15, 2012 |date = April 13, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120416231256/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/04/johnny-depp-natalie-portman-in-3-new-paul-mccartney-videos.html |archive-date = April 16, 2012}}</ref> The following year, she reprised the role of Jane Foster in ''[[Thor: The Dark World]]'', which earned over $644&nbsp;million worldwide to emerge as the [[2013 in film|10th highest-grossing film of 2013]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2013&p=.htm |title=2013 Worldwide Grosses |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205230715/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2013&p=.htm |archive-date=December 5, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Forbes'' featured her in their [[Forbes Celebrity 100|Celebrity 100]] listing of 2014, and estimated her income from the previous year to be $13&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/natalie-portman/#6efd021f4377 |title=Number 100 Natalie Portman |work=Forbes |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329223022/https://www.forbes.com/profile/natalie-portman/#6efd021f4377 |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2015, Portman appeared alongside an ensemble cast, including [[Christian Bale]], in [[Terrence Malick]]'s experimental drama film ''[[Knight of Cups (film)|Knight of Cups]]'', which marked her first project after giving birth. She shot for it within a week of returning to work and she did not receive a traditional script or dialogues, improvising most of her scenes with Bale.<ref name="malick">{{cite news|last=Siegal|first=Miranda|url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/02/bale-portman-on-malicksknight-of-cups.html|title=Christian Bale and Natalie Portman on 'Embracing the Unknown' in Terrence Malick's Knight of Cups|work=Vulture|date=February 9, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023114316/http://www.vulture.com/2015/02/bale-portman-on-malicksknight-of-cups.html|archive-date=October 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Warner|first=Kara|url=https://people.com/movies/natalie-portman-on-working-with-christian-bale-for-knight-of-cups/|title=Natalie Portman: Why Working with Christian Bale on Her New Movie Was 'So Fun' and 'Sometimes Scary'|work=People|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806190146/https://people.com/movies/natalie-portman-on-working-with-christian-bale-for-knight-of-cups/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> She said that shooting with Malick influenced her own directorial venture, ''[[A Tale of Love and Darkness (film)|A Tale of Love and Darkness]]'' which was released in the same year.<ref name="malick"/> Based on Israeli author [[Amos Oz]]'s autobiographical [[A Tale of Love and Darkness|novel of the same name]] which is set in Jerusalem during the last years of the [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate of Palestine]], the Hebrew-language film starred Portman who also produced and co-wrote it.<ref>{{cite news |first = Eran |last = Suissa |title = Natalie Portman heads to Israel to scout film locations |url = http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=10865 |access-date = August 16, 2013 |newspaper = Israel HaYom |date = July 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130820142610/http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=10865 |archive-date = August 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://deadline.com/2015/04/cannes-film-festival-lineup-2015-official-selection-1201410687 |title = Cannes Film Festival 2015 Lineup |website = Deadline Hollywood |access-date = April 16, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150416214015/https://deadline.com/2015/04/cannes-film-festival-lineup-2015-official-selection-1201410687/ |archive-date = April 16, 2015}}</ref> She had wanted to adapt the book since she first read it a decade ago, but postponed it until she was old enough to play the leading role of a mother herself. She collaborated closely with Amos, showing him drafts of her script as she adapted the book.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sagansky|first=Gillian|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/natalie-portman-on-directing-her-first-film-interview|title=Natalie Portman on Directing Her First Film, Nearly 10 Years in the Making|work=W|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806191500/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/natalie-portman-on-directing-her-first-film-interview|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/08/18/490196034/it-took-a-decade-but-portman-just-had-to-make-her-latest-film|title=It Took A Decade, But Portman 'Just Had To Make' Her Latest Film|publisher=NPR|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806191500/https://www.npr.org/2016/08/18/490196034/it-took-a-decade-but-portman-just-had-to-make-her-latest-film|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Portman stated that it was easier to be a female director in Israel than in the U.S., "thanks to the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]]". She explained that Israeli men are accustomed to female officers and commanders, "making it easier for them to accept female authority."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Culture |first=Walls |date=August 20, 2016 |title=נטלי פורטמן: "בזכות צה"ל, קל יותר להיות במאית בישראל" - וואלה תרבות |trans-title=Natalie Portman: "Thanks to the IDF, it's easier to be a director in Israel" |url=https://e.walla.co.il/item/2989953 |access-date=March 8, 2025 |website=Walls |language=he}}</ref> Critics gave the film generally positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Tale of Love and Darkness |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_tale_of_love_and_darkness |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |language=en}}</ref> [[A. O. Scott]] of ''The New York Times'' found it to be a "conscientious adaptation of a difficult book" and was appreciative of Portman's potential as a filmmaker.<ref>{{cite news|last=Scott|first=A. O.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/19/movies/a-tale-of-love-and-darkness-review-natalie-portman-amos-oz.html|title=Review: From Natalie Portman, Israel's Birth Distilled in Mood and Memory|work=The New York Times|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806191840/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/19/movies/a-tale-of-love-and-darkness-review-natalie-portman-amos-oz.html|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

She next produced and starred in the [[Western (genre)|western]] film ''[[Jane Got a Gun]]'' about a young mother seeking vengeance. Initially scheduled to be directed by [[Lynne Ramsay]], the production was plagued with numerous difficulties. Ramsay did not turn up on set for the first day of filming and was eventually replaced with [[Gavin O'Connor (director)|Gavin O'Connor]]. [[Michael Fassbender]], [[Jude Law]], and [[Bradley Cooper]] were all cast as the male lead, before [[Ewan McGregor]] played the part.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Sullivan|first=Kevin P.|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/01/25/jane-got-a-gun-production-trouble/|title='Jane Got a Gun': A brief look at the Western's long, troubled history|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 25, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806194444/https://ew.com/article/2016/01/25/jane-got-a-gun-production-trouble/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' reviewed that Portman's "stately performance" was not enough to save the "laborious and solemn western", and it grossed less than $4&nbsp;million against its $25&nbsp;million budget.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Bradshaw|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/21/jane-got-a-gun-review-laborious-and-solemn-western-with-absurd-finale|title=Jane Got a Gun review – laborious and solemn western with absurd finale|work=The Guardian|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330192255/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/21/jane-got-a-gun-review-laborious-and-solemn-western-with-absurd-finale|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jane-Got-a-Gun#tab=summary |title=''Jane Got a Gun'' (2016) |publisher=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701083205/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jane-Got-a-Gun#tab=summary |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>