Portman: I did NOT offer Star Wars role to Keira

Star Wars beauty Natalie Portman has denied reports she tried to get Keira Knightley to replace her in the third prequel Revenge of the Sith.

The Cold Mountain star, who is rumoured to be deeply unhappy with the quality of the George Lucas-created films, was said to have begged the King Arthur star to take over the part of Queen Amidala after being humiliated by the critical reception afforded to The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Knightley played Amidala's ill-fated handmaiden Sabe in Episode 1.

But Portman has scorched the rumours saying: "I made the commitment to do three and that's what I did. You're the one responsible for making a film a positive or negative experience.

"Once you're committed you do everything to make it as fulfilling as possible and that's what I did."