Natalie Portman Reveals Why Playing John Krasinski’s Sister in ‘Fountain of Youth’ Was a Dream Come True
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Natalie Portman opened up about her latest film, ‘Fountain of Youth’, alongside John Krasinski. The Apple TV+ original film, directed by Guy Ritchie, tells the story of treasure-hunting mastermind Luke Purdue (Krasinski) and his estranged sister Charlotte Purdue (Portman), who must come together to pull off a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth.
According to PEOPLE, Portman, 43, got to live out one of her wildest dreams in the film, playing the sister of PEOPLE’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive, 45. "It was so incredible to get to work with John," Portman tells PEOPLE. "He’s so funny. He’s so kind, such a good actor and to play brother and sister was really fun because both of us, I think, had an imagination of what it might be like."
As PEOPLE reports, Portman explains that being an only child and Krasinski having only brothers, they both had a lifetime imagination of what it would be like to have a sibling. "I’m an only child and he has only brothers, so we both kind of had that lifetime imagination of what it would be like to bring to our characters and it was great to travel to all these incredible places with the entire cast," she says.
Krasinski, who has two older brothers, Paul Krasinski and Dr. Kevin Krasinski, an orthopedic surgeon and tech CEO respectively, also shared his thoughts on the film. As quoted by PEOPLE, he says, "I love the initial juxtaposition between Luke and Charlotte — this idea of the adventurous spirit and the person who is always playing it safe."
The film, which debuts on Apple TV+ on Friday, May 23, also stars Eiza González, Stanley Tucci, Laz Alonso, Arian Moayed, and more. PEOPLE notes that the movie follows the story of Luke and Charlotte Purdue, who are funded by a mysterious billionaire named Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson) on their mission to find the Fountain of Youth, but unbeknownst to the Purdues, Carver has an ulterior motive for helping the bickering brother-sister duo.
As PEOPLE reports, director Guy Ritchie used the sometimes-strained relationship between Luke and Charlotte to play up the drama. "With brothers and sisters, there will always be squabbling," Ritchie said. "And, as far as I’m concerned, squabbling is the best version of arguing. Brothers and sisters can say things to each other that no one else can. You can warm your hands off that kind of banter."
Portman also shared her experience on set, telling PEOPLE that it felt like being with family. "We really had a crew the whole time and we all really had fun together," she says. "And then we got to shoot at the pyramids and be in Vienna and it was just magical."
The film’s premiere took place at the American Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles on Monday, May 19, where Portman and Krasinski walked the red carpet. PEOPLE notes that the film is a mystery movie that made it special for Portman, who got to travel the world while making it.
In conclusion, Natalie Portman’s experience working on ‘Fountain of Youth’ with John Krasinski was a dream come true. As PEOPLE reports, the film is a thrilling adventure that explores the complex relationship between siblings and the mythological Fountain of Youth. With its star-studded cast and director Guy Ritchie at the helm, ‘Fountain of Youth’ is set to be a hit on Apple TV+.
