Keira Knightley: I Gave a 'Significant Chunk of My Life' to 'Pirates'

By Nicki Gostin Posted May 12th 2011 12:21PM

The kicky Keira Knightley can currently be seen in the romantic drama, 'Last Night.' In it she plays Joanna Reed, half of a married couple whose marriage is sorely tested when her husband (Sam Worthington) goes on a business trip and encounters temptation in the voluptuous form of Eva Mendes. Meanwhile, she encounters her own form of temptation in Guillaume Canet, a former lover who reappears. The 26-year-old actress, who first captured hearts in 'Bend It Like Beckham,' talked to PopEater about the Royal Wedding, (we got the impression she's not such a big fan), the viciousness of the British press and what inspired her to jump ship on the 'Pirates' franchise.

"When we were shooting the second one I knew that was going to be it for me," she told us. "I started it at 17 and I finished the last one when I was 22. So that was quite a significant chunk of my life and it was extraordinary but I always knew I didn't want to go back and do another one."

Any personal experience in relating to 'Last Night'?
I obviously would not answer that! But I do think the wonderful thing about this film is that pretty much any grown up has been in one or if not all these characters at some point in their life. I think obviously the older you get and the more experience you have the more you'll be able to see things from the characters point of view and I think that was one of the things that attracted me to the piece itself and it didn't impose a morality, it's not telling you who is in the right and who is in the wrong. I think you bring your own experiences and your own morality to it and in that way it's a kind of discussion with the piece of work. I thought it was really impressive.

Did you discuss the movie with your friends?
One of the great things about this film is it's a subject that everyone has an opinion about and again at different points of their lives they'll have a different opinion. When I was making the film in New York I would tell friends what I was doing and all of a sudden it would provoke an entire evening of discussion or arguments about it, who's right and who's wrong and whether the relationship could survive it or if that's the end of the relationship. I think it's one of those topics where there is no answer although there are very many different answers for different people at different times in their life so it makes a very interesting subject.

Were you in London for the Royal wedding? Did you watch it on telly wearing a paper crown?
No, did you?

I wasn't in London. I was in New York. Were you wearing a paper hat?
No but I was drinking tea out of my Kate and William mug.

You have a Kate and William mug?
Yes I ran out and bought one when they got engaged.

Did you? (a little incredulously)
Yes, I'm a big royalist.

Good, then it must have been a good day for you then.
I watched it. I thought she looked lovely, very lovely. London was pretty. Everyone was having street parties but I had to work that night so I didn't have the chance to go to any but yes it all looked very lovely.

How come you're not in the new Pirates movie?
When we were shooting the second one I knew that was going to be it for me. I started it at 17 and I finished the last one when I was 22. So that was quite a significant chunk of my life and it was extraordinary but I always knew I didn't want to go back and do another one. I can't wait to see the new one. I think it looks amazing.

What TV shows do you watch?
I don't own a TV.

Do you watch shows online?
Very, very rarely.

Wow, so how do you chill out when you come home late?
I have a projector and I can watch movies or documentaries. I listen to music or read books or see friends.

So have a life is what you're trying to say to me.
No, no I'm not saying that. I'm in a hotel right now and the first thing I did was turn the television on because it's such an extraordinary thing to have a TV in the room.

Your accent is completely adorable. It sounds posh but not too posh.
It isn't posh actually, I can tell you. It's not cockney, but it's got more cockney and Northern in it than posh. The Queen is posh.

You're the face of Chanel.
It's lovely there. They are a really lovely group of people to work with.

Do you get boxes of perfume sent to your home?
I definitely don't need to buy perfume.

How about dresses?
If I needed to borrow it yeah but I can't have it. But yes I can pretty much borrow it.

You became famous very young. How did you deal with the English press who are much more vicious than the American press?
I don't know. I think it comes to a point where you've got two options to either sink or swim and I guess sinking isn't an option.

You used to battle nasty anorexia rumors.
That hasn't been in a while. It's very nice that it's not nice there anymore.

What books are you reading now?
I've actually only just read 'The Sun Also Rises,' by Hemingway. 'The Passion' by Jeanette Winterson which I thought was wonderful.

Do you belong to a book club?
No, do you?

No but my sisters-in-law do.
Do they actually read the books or do they just get drunk?

They do read, but yes it is also a social gathering.
Gives it a focus then doesn't it?

More Q&As From Nicki Gostin: John Waters, Rob Lowe, Jerry Seinfeld, Dick Van Dyke and Jesse James

Tags: Keira Knightley, Last Night, pirates of the caribbean

Comments

(13)

Thursday 12 May

By Ule

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

You can see how she is going to look at 90 already, what a dud! She should of just jumped overboard during the first five minutes in the first Pirates Movie, then she could of spent her life working on her ugliness.

By Jane

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Seriously? What on earth would make you such a grump about a nice young lady? I wouldn't want to live in your head/heart. With people like you, no wonder the world is so troubled...

By Hey

Someone's a little jealous

Friday 13 May

By APerfectGentlman

Seriously, are you on drugs or just blind? Keira Knightley is one of the 10 best-looking women on the planet. She couldn't do ugly if she tried. When she smiles (which I wish she'd do a lot more), she is, without a doubt the most beautiful woman in the world. Period.

By TC

Vote down Vote up Report this

"An extraordinary thing to have a TV in a room"? Where does she live and hang out? Cell block D? What is it with actors & actresses saying "they don't own TV's" or "I never watch myself in the films I do". Yeah, right. Every actor/actress I've known have been very narcissistic. There is no way I believe these people.

By Wanda

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Yeah,that's pretty much bs,I agree. It's like the people back in the day that used to claim that "I only watch Public Television." Of course,if you stopped by their homes on any given evening they were watching the Cagney and Lacy or Dynasty,which darn sure didn't air on PBS!

By BeerBelly

Well now Ive been drinkin beer all day but heres my take..she is very pretty but I think she looks better with long hair...and is here head getting bigger? or is it just me? maybe she is just growing up and getting more adult looks? anyways she seem nice so who cares.

By vesalagolf

Did they pay her ?

By freewalk9

I am not a big Keira Knightly fan but she sounded rather intelligent and pleasant in this interview. She probably does not have a TV, which makes it a "treat" when she stays in hotels. She may figure that she's better off spending her time reading or doing other things when she is at home. My husband and I did not have TV for a while and I know others who choose not to have television. Many of us just don't have much time to watch and would rather not have it as a distraction. I almost never turn it on unless my husband is home and wants to watch something in the evening.
I don't understand why this interview received any negative responses.

By Sun

Keira will be back for fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie or sixth movie with a child of Captain Will Turner

Monday 16 May

By Andy

She owes her career to "Pirates"! A significant portion of her life? Whoopty do. A whole five years. One day she'll be thankful of this.

Thursday 26 May

By Common Sense

Who? Another never was he's I mean she's a bit self centered aragont & Snotty. Is she on Jesery Shore?

Monday 30 May

By James West

I'd give her a poke

Page 1 of 1