Natalie Portman Brings 'Black Swan' to Venice

Natalie Portman steadies herself as she steps off of a water taxi after taking a ride in Venice, Italy on Tuesday (August 31).

The 29-year-old actress is in town for the Venice Film Festival – her new film, Black Swan, will open the fest!

WATCH: Natalie & Mila Kunis Kiss in Black Swan Trailer

Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky recently told MTV that casting Natalie in the film had been planned for a long time!

“I first talked with Natalie about this project at least 10 years ago,” Darren shared. “We were in Times Square and had a coffee at the old Howard Johnson. I had this idea of setting something in the ballet world. It was very loose. I didn’t have a script. And then I found out she was fascinated by ballet and wanted to play a dancer.”