Natalie Portman grateful for Thor

Natalie Portman is grateful she filmed Thor after her gruelling role in Black Swan because the reduced workload on the comic book movie prevented her from suffering a "total breakdown".

The actress embarked on a strict diet and months of intensive dance lessons to play a prima ballerina in Black Swan, and admits she still hasn't recovered after pushing herself to the limit.

Portman confesses she was relieved to follow up the drama with the Marvel Comics blockbuster - as she was given plenty of time to relax in her trailer.

"[Filming Thor] probably delayed the onset of a total breakdown from the efforts of doing Black Swan, which is going to hit at any moment," She told Britain's The Sun.

"We got nice long breaks and I got to read in my trailer which was very comfortable and has a bed. I could eat whenever I wanted and train whenever I felt like it.

"Also I went on to do the Ivan Reitman comedy No Strings Attached as well. They didn't require a lot of research ahead of time.

"They didn't require any specific physical training. Both were very fun projects, surrounded by friends. They were both the gentlest of any work experience I could have gone into after the extreme situation of doing Black Swan."

Portman went on to win several honours, including an Academy Award and Golden Globe, for her dancing performance in Black Swan.

-AAP