(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Natalie Portman says working with Kenneth Branagh exceeded her expectations.

The 29-year-old who received the best actress Oscar for her role as troubled ballerina Nina Sayers in Black Swan - says she has always admired the work of Irish actor-and-director Kenneth, 50. The talented actress portrays Jane Foster in upcoming action movie Thor, which was directed by Kenneth, and she was thrilled to get the chance to work under one of her biggest idols.

He was one of the first people Ive met that I was excited about when I met them. When I worked with him, it exceeded my expectations, she told Total Film.

Kenneth is best known for directing and starring in several film adaptations of 17th-century British playwright William Shakespeares productions. Natalie has revealed she was obsessed with Kenneths 1993 film Much Ado About Nothing, which he directed and starred in as Benedick.

I must have watched Much Ado About Nothing like 500 times, I love that film so much, she added. (C) Cover Media