Natalie Portman was 17 years old during the release era of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999, having been born on June 9, 1981.

Since The Phantom Menace came out in May 1999 and she turned 18 only in June 1999, she was still 17 when the movie hit theaters, and about 16–17 during most of the filming period.