Keira Knightley recently opened up about the complex legacy of her “Pirates of the Caribbean” experience during a candid conversation with Rosamund Pike for Vanity Fair. The British actress brought Elizabeth Swann to life in three blockbuster films between 2003 and 2007. She shared surprising insights about how the franchise affected public perception of her acting abilities.
“Pirates of the Caribbean had already come out, but I think in the public consciousness, I was seen as a terrible actress,” Knightley revealed to the outlet while discussing her “Pride & Prejudice” era. The actress faced a unique challenge when both projects competed for audience attention, creating very different critical responses.
From Blockbuster Success to Critical Confusion
The timing of her various projects created professional whiplash for the then-21-year-old actress. “Dead Man’s Chest” premiered in July 2006, just months after Knightley earned her first Academy Award nomination for portraying Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice” adaptation.
“I remember it coming out maybe the same year, maybe around the same time, as Pirates 2 â and I got the worst reviews ever for that. Then also being nominated for an Oscar at the same time, it was, in my 21-year-old head, quite confusing,” she explained to Vanity Fair.
The actress told Vanity Fair that “Pride & Prejudice” represented “the first one that was a phenomenally big success but was also critically acclaimed,” after “Pirates” had established her as a global star. This recognition helped shift perceptions about her range as a performer beyond action-adventure roles.
Reconciling with a Billion-Dollar Legacy
Speaking to media outlets in 2024, Knightley acknowledged the lasting complexity of her relationship with the franchise that grossed over $1 billion worldwide, according to The Independent. “They were the most successful films I’ll ever be a part of and they were the reason that I was taken down publicly. So they’re a very confused place in my head,” she shared.
Her perspective aligned with that of co-star Orlando Bloom. Bloom recently reflected on similar experiences while promoting his Prime Video series, “Deep Cover.” He was asked by TheWrap about concerns over being forever known for his blockbuster roles. Bloom admitted, “Well, yes and no. I mean, those are two of, kind of the great â like, if you’re going to do two of them in a big way. But yeah, for sure.” He revealed his approach to moving forward: “I was like, ‘You know what? I’m just going to do characters that I can look back on and go, oh, yeah, I really took a swing at that.’”
The franchise’s impact extended beyond immediate reviews. Knightley described to The Times last year how “Pirates” simultaneously was “making and breaking” her career. Despite the challenges, her post-“Pirates” filmography demonstrates considerable versatility, including acclaimed performances in “Atonement,” “Never Let Me Go,” and “Colette.”
While producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that a sixth Pirates film is in development without the original cast, Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann remains part of the franchise through her appearance in 2017’s “Dead Men Tell No Tales.” Since completing the original trilogy, Knightley has earned Academy Award nominations for both “Atonement” and “The Imitation Game,” while starring in films such as “The Boston Strangler.”
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