Natalie Portman - Experimental Actress Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is not a "snob" when it comes to choosing her movie roles.

The 'Black Swan' actress is constantly pushing herself to learn more about her craft so is equally happy tackling a special-effects filled blockbuster or an independent arthouse film.

She said: "With everything I do I want to learn something new. And part of that, too, is never being a snob.

"I never want to try and just make like, arty, intellectual films, I love those, of course, as experiences, but I also love big, more traditional entertainment type movies. And that's always trying different things and always challenging myself is definitely my aspiration."

The 29-year-old actress' latest performance in psychological drama 'Black Swan' won widespread critical acclaim when it aired at the Venice Film Festival this week but director Darren Aronofsky has revealed the project almost didn't get off the ground.

He said: "Everyone passed on it. Even after 'The Wrestler', everyone passed on it. And even with Natalie Portman and Vincent Cassel in it, everyone passed on it.

"I couldn't get it made. I remember going to Natalie and being like, it may not happen and then Fox Searchlight came in at last minute and kind of saved us."