The Curious Case of Natalie Portman

A signed 8x10 of Natalie Portman from Episode II sold for over $2500…and the graph is smudged.

I personally bought a signed magazine (like the one pictured) for $800 live on the very first episode of the Graphcast. By today’s standards, that was a steal.

I think if you took a poll of collectors today, dealing only the Star Wars collecting space, Natalie Portman would be in the top five, and definitely top ten most-desired autograph signers alive today.

You’ve got Frank Oz, George Lucas and James Earl Jones, along with the maestro John Williams; all Star Wars legends who’ve never participated in a send-in or public autograph signing. They’re also all a part of the Original Trilogy, the only piece of Star Wars this side of the Mando and Baby Yoda that’s universally loved by all.

Natalie? The Prequels? I can almost hear you groaning through the interwebs.

Personally, I love the PT (Prequel Trilogy). I grew-up with it. Most folks can’t stand the films and even fewer of the hardcore collect it. But Natalie Portman on Star Wars? An actress, albeit an accomplished one, from a maligned trilogy of films that have appreciated about as well as my Senator Palpatine Episode I red card? Her sig on a Star Wars pic is worth thousands of dollars. Anything Star Wars. Even a Barbie Doll dedicated to a hair dresser is worth some coin.

The reason? Well, she just doesn’t really like signing Star Wars items. She really doesn’t like signing period unless you’re a 12-year-old girl getting a pair of ballet slippers signed in Europe.

There was rumor that an old group of scammers had her lined-up to sign for charity at $2500 per pop. And this was before Black Swan. And I bet she would’ve sold out. Of course like your Connoisseur Series, it didn’t happen.

My old buddy Bendu told me he estimates a total of 50 or so Natalie Portman Star Wars ITEMS in the wild. Not photos. ITEMS. Posters, dolls, placemats, pictures…50. Yes, we’re all collectors and like rare things. That’s why everyone is tripping over themselves for quotes so that their random 8x10 can be ‘better’ than their buddy’s random 8x10. But $7k for a signed Natalie Portman Star Wars photo? Yup.

I personally could never see myself spending THAT much on a Natalie Portman autograph. Then again, $800 seemed high a few years ago.

She’s young, but she’s successful and has a career beyond Star Wars. She’s an Academy Award Winner. She’s starring in an upcoming Marvel film. She doesn’t like signing autographs. Who knows if she’ll ever pick-up a pen in a sit-down setting.

If Harrison Ford will sign, Natalie Portman should sign. But until then, if ever, sell a kidney if you’re interested in Padme.