Keira Knightley has revealed that her breakout role in the Pirates of the Caribbean films contributed to a poor perception of her acting abilities. Knightley, who portrayed Elizabeth Swann alongside Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp in the franchise, said the films were both a major career breakthrough and a source of criticism. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, she explained that although the series brought her global recognition, it also led many to view her as a subpar actress.
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Speaking alongside Rosamund Pike while reflecting on Pride & Prejudice (2005), Knightley noted the stark contrast between her critically acclaimed role as Elizabeth Bennet and her reception in the Pirates sequel. “I had this phenomenally big success with Pirates, but Pride & Prejudice was the first one that was also critically acclaimed,” she said. She recalled the confusion of being nominated for an Oscar while simultaneously receiving scathing reviews for Dead Man’s Chest (2006), which came out the same year.
Knightley has previously described her relationship with the franchise as complicated, saying: “They were the most successful films I’ll ever be a part of, and they were the reason that I was taken down publicly.” Orlando Bloom has since spoken in support of his former co-star, telling Entertainment Weekly that he understood Knightley’s perspective and praised her contributions to the series. He added that the franchise was a “huge moment in time” and that he remains grateful for the experience.
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A sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film is currently in development, though producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed in 2024 that Johnny Depp is not expected to return. During his defamation trial against Amber Heard, Depp affirmed under oath that he would never reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow for Disney, even for a substantial sum. Bruckheimer remarked that rebooting the franchise would be “easier” without relying on certain iconic cast members, signalling a new direction for the beloved series.
