Mila Kunis has described the physical demands of preparing for 2010’s Black Swan, saying her regimen involved “a lot of dancing and very little eating,” long days in rehearsal, and injuries that included bruised ribs and a dislocated shoulder. She recalled sustaining herself largely on broth while training up to 12 hours a day, adding that the initial three-month preparation period stretched to six months when financing delays paused the start of production, giving the actors more time to train.
Her remarks arrive as the film’s 15th-anniversary re-release brings a remastered version to IMAX theaters on August 21 and 24, underscoring the movie’s enduring profile after grossing about $329 million worldwide and earning Natalie Portman the Academy Award for Best Actress. Kunis also said she dislocated her shoulder early in production but returned to work after treatment, and that repeated lifts left “bruises all over” her ribs—details that track with the ballet-drama’s reputation for rigorous preparation and a guerrilla-style shoot.
The anniversary reflections have revived behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including the director’s admission that he tried to spark a friendly rivalry between Kunis and Portman to sharpen their on-screen tension. The actors said they quickly recognized the tactic and remained close throughout filming, while crediting the extended rehearsal window with helping them build credible technique for the camera.
Kunis’s comments also dovetail with a broader discussion about extreme transformations for roles and the line between athletic training and unhealthy restriction. While she framed her preparation as an honest account of what it took to portray a professional ballerina, the film’s return to theaters has prompted renewed interest in how actors balance authenticity, safety, and performance when playing physically exacting characters. As the IMAX screenings roll out this week, audiences are revisiting the film’s themes of perfectionism and self-image alongside fresh insights from its principal cast.
