Orlando Bloom on Keira Knightley’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Critique

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Keira Knightley reflected on how the Pirates of the Caribbean series, which debuted in 2003, significantly impacted her career path – both positively and negatively. During an interview with The Times in November 2024 about her role in Black Doves, she admitted that the blockbuster franchise was a kind of “double-edged sword,” simultaneously elevating and challenging her as an actress.

As a movie enthusiast looking back on my journey, I can’t help but reflect on the paradoxical role those films played in shaping my career. Initially, I faced harsh criticism due to their association, yet it was precisely these successful projects that opened doors for me, leading to Oscar-nominated roles. The Pirates of the Caribbean series, being the most remarkable films I’ve ever been a part of, are an intriguing mix in my mind – they brought me both public scrutiny and professional acclaim. So, they remain a complex and confounding chapter in my cinematic journey.

In response to Knightley’s remarks, Orlando Bloom – a fellow cast member in her Pirates films – expressed understanding, and during an interview with Entertainment Weekly (through The Daily Mail), he discussed the enduring impact of the movie on his professional journey.

That moment in time felt so monumental, it seems like another era has passed since then. However, it was truly special and unique, and I’m always thankful for it. I can relate to Keira’s perspective, and she does amazing work. Overall, I have many fond memories and lessons learned from that experience.

Prior to her role in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” Keira Knightley had already made a significant impact with her star-making performance in “Bend It Like Beckham.” Unlike Orlando Bloom who gained fame through his roles as Legolas in two of the “Lord of the Rings” films, there were doubts and speculations about her health, particularly if she was suffering from anorexia, similar to Mary-Kate Olsen’s situation in 2004. This scrutiny arose due to comments made by some in the media and general public.

As I reflect on this, what I can say is that I wasn’t conscious of it at the time, but I do recall eating. Strangely enough, those specific moments are hazy in my memory, as if they were erased and then resurfacing unexpectedly, often triggered by a physical reminder. It seems to me that it was more than just an embarrassment – it was public shaming, a scar etched deep into my psyche given the young age at which it occurred. I’ve learned to navigate around it ever since.

‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Was Part of Disney’s Plan to Adapt its Rides to the Big Screen

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Disney contemplated using intellectual properties beyond their own to create blockbuster series. They eventually decided to base their adaptations on popular rides, starting with “The Country Bears” in 2002, featuring a young Haley Joel Osment who had recently made a significant impact in “The Sixth Sense”. Despite the presence of Christopher Walken, the film was a dismal failure at the box office, grossing only $18 million globally against a production budget of $35 million. Clearly, things weren’t promising from the outset.

Initially, when the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” premiered on July 9, 2003, it was an unprecedented success. The audience couldn’t get enough, and it catapulted or re-ignited the careers of actors like Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, and director Gore Verbinski, who were primarily recognized for “The Ring” and “Mousehunt.” Notably, Depp’s portrayal of Jack Sparrow was a significant risk at the time, as he was emulating his friend, The Rolling Stones’ iconic guitarist Keith Richards. Other amusement park adaptations include “Jungle Cruise” featuring Dwayne Johnson, two “Haunted Mansions,” and others.

The initial Pirates of the Caribbean movie brought in a staggering $654 million worldwide and marked Disney’s next major live-action series. Its first sequel, Dead Man’s Chest (released in 2006), raked in an impressive billion dollars globally, while the third installment, At World’s End, grossed a whopping $965 million worldwide.

In all five “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, Depp featured, while Knightley starred in the first three and fifth. However, Bloom stopped participating after “At World’s End”. Now that Disney and renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer are planning two new “Pirates” films, there’s a chance Depp, Knightley, or Bloom might reappear. Regarding this possibility, Orlando Bloom (the actor who played Will Turner) expressed:

To be honest, that was quite an exhilarating adventure, so it’s hard to rule out the possibility completely. I hold that experience in high regard and appreciate Jerry and everything associated with it. However, I can’t predict what the future holds; this is just something I haven’t given much thought to yet.

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2025-01-29 23:04