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American actress Scarlett Johansson attends the premiere of "The Other Boleyn Girl" at Odeon, Leicester Square in London on February 19, 2008. (UPI Photo/Rune Hellestad)

"As an actor, anything you have that helps you get into character is helpful and the costumes were, certainly, a major part of that," Johansson told reporters in New York recently. "As modern women, we're used to being able to move freely, not think about what we're wearing. ... These costumes are not only uncomfortable to wear, but they affect how people move around you. Otherwise, you're just taking everything down, the costumes are so huge. It affects your intimacy ... You feel very statuesque and vulnerable in these costumes. It's a constant reminder of the restrictions that were placed on women of this time."

Portman revealed there were some drawbacks to wearing the 16th century outfits.

"I remember Scarlett warning me, she was like: 'I had a big lunch. Big mistake,'" Portman laughed. "Because you take the costume off at lunch, for a break and you forget and..."

"Then try to pour yourself back in," Johansson chimed in.

"It's a battle," Portman added.