Did Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman ever date in real life?

Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman were rumored to have been an item around sometime in 2000. 

Hayden Christensen, 42 years old, played the role of Anakin Skywalker and Portman, 42 years old, played the role of Padme Amidala in Star Wars.

In Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Anakin was just a little boy who turned into a handsome hunk by Episode II and went on romancing Padme.

Though things did not end up in favour of Hayden and Natalie on screen as Padme died after knowing that Anakin has turn to the Dark Side but the duo offcreen were depicting an another whole picture for fans.

Regardless, the question that has bugged fans since the very beginning was: 

Did Hayden Christensen date Natalie Portman?

According to MTV.com, It is speculated that in early 2000s Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, the leading faces of Star Wars did date between the times the prequel were released. However it was never confirmed.

Though in an interview as reported by Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Christensen was asked straight away if he fell in love with his Star Wars co-star while acting? To which the actor remained calm put on a slight smile and answered:

“You know, you have to a little bit if you’re really going to believe yourself in the role. We’re pretty good friends now, but you know, it’s something that you just have to sort of believe.”

The actor played it safe by saying he might have fallen for her "a bit," though it could only be to breathe life into his character and keep it as authentic as he can.

Though it’s been a mystery that if they actually date but their were times when the fans really wanted them to be together and shipped them.