Natalie Portman has broken her golden rule of speaking to the press about gossip - to clear up reports she's dating Sean Penn.

The actress insists the romance story is "completely untrue" and she's appalled that the media has linked her to Penn, who recently split from his wife Robin Wright Penn.

In a statement to news show Extra, the Star Wars star says, "Sean Penn is a friend and colleague. The reports that we are romantically involved are completely untrue. I normally do not respond to rumors about my private life, however, this repeatedly fabricated story has forced me to do so."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)