Black Swan 15th anniversary: cast recalls camaraderie; Imax rerelease

Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis offered a rare glimpse into the making of Black Swan as the film marks its 15th anniversary, recounting a set that was far from the supposed cutthroat atmosphere crafted by director Darren Aronofsky. Reuniting for interviews around the milestone, the actors and Aronofsky recalled an effort to spark on-screen rivalry that never materialized, and they highlighted the strong, collaborative dynamic that carried the project from casting to awards glory. The film is returning to select theaters in a remastered format for Imax screenings later this month.

Aronofsky has spoken candidly about his instinct to create tension between Portman’s Nina and Kunis’s Lily, a gambit he described as “a sneaky director” ploy to intensify performances. He recalled that the two leads quickly saw through the ruse and turned it into a running joke on set. Portman and Kunis affirmed that their on-set relationship was built on mutual respect and camaraderie rather than real conflict. Portman recalled being separated from Kunis at times and noting a comment early on about Kunis’s dancing, while Kunis described how Aronofsky would describe Nina’s dedication, prompting her to...