Mila Kunis has opened up about the arduous journey she undertook to embody her character in the captivating film, "Black Swan." In a recent interview with Vogue, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the 2010 cinematic masterpiece, Kunis, accompanied by her costar Natalie Portman and director Darren Aronofsky, delved into the transformative process she underwent to portray a professional ballerina on screen.
"My preparation involved endless hours of dancing coupled with severe calorie restriction – not something I’m proud to admit, but it’s the honest truth," Kunis confessed to the publication. "I survived on broth and danced relentlessly for 12 hours each day."
"Initially, we had just three months to prepare before filming commenced, but due to a financial setback, our prep time stretched to six months while Darren worked tirelessly to secure funding," continued Kunis, now 42. "It was tough on Darren, but Nat and I couldn’t have been happier; those extra three months allowed us to hone our dancing skills even further."
The "Luckiest Girl Alive" actress also recounted the painful injuries she endured during the numerous dance sequences. "We filmed those scenes for hours on end, leaving me with bruises covering my ribs from being lifted repeatedly," she shared with Vogue. "Early into production, I even dislocated my shoulder and feared the worst, but thankfully, Darren sent me to an acupuncturist, and I miraculously recovered fully."
During the interview, Portman, 44, revealed the intriguing tale of how Kunis landed the role of Lily, the seductive rival to Portman’s character Nina. "We’d been friends for years, and I remember chatting about this ballet movie I was making with Darren at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Mila casually mentioned her ballet past, and I was like, 'Wait, you did ballet?' I immediately phoned Darren and suggested this amazing actress with ballet experience for Lily," Portman recounted.
However, there was a slight miscommunication. "I think I said something like, 'I danced once,' which somehow got blown out of proportion into me having done pointe work," Kunis clarified, prompting Portman to playfully respond, "I may have exaggerated a bit on your behalf!"
Despite its modest budget of $13 million, "Black Swan" went on to become a global phenomenon, grossing nearly $330 million at the box office. Portman garnered an Oscar for Best Actress for her mesmerizing portrayal.
For a limited time this month, fans will have the opportunity to revisit this cinematic gem on the big screen. On August 21 and 24, newly remastered versions of "Black Swan" will be shown in IMAX theaters across the country.
Reflecting on the film’s 15th anniversary, Portman told Vogue that witnessing the final cut for the first time was an exhilarating experience. "While shooting, I didn’t quite grasp the movie’s tone, and I was blown away by the final product. Watching it for the first time was shocking and exhilarating in the best possible way. During production, I didn’t fully comprehend the scope of Darren’s vision, but the success was beyond incredible," she said.
