Contrary to popular belief, Sabé was not portrayed by Natalie Portman. Different character, different actress. Keira Knightley was chosen to play Sabé because of the striking resemblance between herself and Natalie Portman. It is pretty stunning, isn't it?
According to casting director Robin Gurland,
"One of the hardest roles to cast was that of Sabé, the handmaiden that fills in for the Queen when she is in hiding. Originally we were going to us a stand-in, but that was before we found a girl by the name of Keira Knightley. She was only fourteen at the time of principal photography, two years younger than Natalie Portman, but nevertheless the resemblance is striking. I wouldn't be surprised if she fools quite a few of the fans."
Keira Knightley was born in 1985 in Scotland and has been appearing in movies/television since 1994. The above quote is mis-leading, because Keira acted as Sabé in TPM when she was just 12 years old! Imagine that! If Keira looks familiar to you in a non-SW way, it's probably because you've seen her in her role as Elizabeth in the brand new Disney movie Pirates of the Caribbean. If you're looking for more Keira information, please visit my fanlisting dedicated to her.
What did Keira think about playing Sabé?
"The problem for me was that by being in the film the magic was broken. I loved the first Star Wars film and my mum was really into it too, that's why I took the part. But the Force wasn't there when we were filming it, and they didn't have real light sabers, which annoyed me."
"I hate to say it, but I was only on it for about three weeks. I have two memories. One was when I fell off the back of a golf buggy that Ewan McGregor was on, and to this day, I can't look at him without being embarrassed, because all I was wearing was a bathrobe, some tights, and some knickers, and I literally went flying with my legs over my head and everything on display! I've met him a number of times since, and he doesn't even remember! I also remember how uncomfortable it was, because those costumes are so difficult. But it was a very valuable experience because I was really sort of chucked into the deep end and forced to work on this epic scale film with blue screen, and green screen, and all that. It's quite a skill to be able to act against those things, when there's nothing really there. My hat goes off to all those guys who had big parts and were acting opposite a blue or green screen. You have to really concentrate."
Keira's Filmography:
| Love Actually (2003) | Juliet | |
| Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) | Elizabeth Swann | |
| Doctor Zhivago (2002) (mini) | Lara Antipova | |
| Pure (2002) | Louise | |
| Bend It Like Beckham (2002) | Jules | |
| Deflation (2001) | Jogger | |
| The Hole (2001) | Frankie Smith | |
| Princess of Thieves (2001) (TV) | Gwyn | |
| "Oliver Twist" (1999) Mini TV Series | Rose Fleming | |
| Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) | Sabé | |
| Coming Home (1998) (TV) | Young Judith | |
| Innocent Lies (1995) | Young Celia | |
| Village Affair, A (1994) | Natasha Jordan |
(Filmography from IMDB.)