Keira Knightley, renowned for her role as Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, recently shared insights into the less glamorous aspects of her experience on the set, even as she acknowledges the film's success.
Two decades since the release of the first Pirates of the Caribbean film, Knightley revealed that despite her pride in being recognized in a male-dominated industry, she grappled with the drawbacks of excessive s----lization.
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Knightley reflected on the paradox of her character, Elizabeth, who was initially intended to be a strong, sword-wielding woman. However, she felt constrained by the overt s----lization of the character. "She was the object of everyone's lust," Knightley stated, expressing her discomfort with the transition from her tomboyish self to the projected image of complete oppositeness. Feeling restricted and trapped, Knightley sought roles that allowed her to break free from this stereotype.
Cast as Elizabeth at the age of under 18, the opportunity initially seemed like a ladder to success. Yet, working alongside Johnny Depp brought a loss of confidence. Despite subsequent notable roles in Love Actually, Pride and Prejudice, and Atonement, the shadow of Elizabeth Swann loomed large, leading Knightley to demand more from herself. The ambitious pursuit of improvement took a toll on her mental well-being, with self-doubt and exhaustion becoming constant companions.
In hindsight, Knightley recognized her relentless drive for perfection and acknowledged that she was incredibly hard on herself. Although she misses the strength of her 22-year-old self, she appreciates the lessons learned during that challenging period.
The toll of this experience became more evident when Knightley took a two-year hiatus from acting and was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While she doesn't explicitly attribute the disorder to her time on the Pirates of the Caribbean set, the challenging period likely played a role in her decision to step back.
Returning to acting with The Imitation Game, a role that earned her an Oscar nomination, Knightley demonstrated resilience and a renewed sense of confidence in her craft. Despite the success of additional Pirates of the Caribbean films, Knightley chose not to participate in them, focusing instead on a diverse range of roles to reclaim her artistic identity.
