Keira Knightley’s Age in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Leaves Fans in Shock

Recent discussions have brought to light how young Keira Knightley actually was when starring in the first “Pirates of the Caribbean,” leaving many fans in shock.

At the time the blockbuster was shot, Knightley was only 17, playing Elizabeth Swann. The revelation has sparked conversations around the challenges that young actors face in Hollywood, especially when thrust into the limelight at such a tender formative age.

She has been very open about the events, admitting that all of a sudden it became “traumatic” and was one of the defining moments of her career. In an interview with Variety, Knightley discussed the challenges of dealing with that sort of public scrutiny when she was still defining herself as a person.

Many have also pointed out the age gap between Knightley and her co-actors. Johnny Depp, who appeared as Captain Jack Sparrow, was 39 at the time, and Orlando Bloom, who played Will Turner, was 26 years old.

The reaction on social media was varied as this fact emerged. While several fans praised Knightley for her acting abilities at that age, many others admonished the sexualization of her character.
Knightley herself has talked about this, citing the juxtaposition between her being a tomboy and the “object of everybody’s lust” she was supposed to become on film.

This role set the path that the actress would take after “Pirates.” She felt the need to distance herself from the image created in the movie. Her following film roles reached many and were worth millions, but she slowed down because she was burned out.

Now 39, Knightley has moved on to seeking a balance between family and acting by choosing selective roles. Going from teen star to a respected actress, Keira Knightley’s life is one of growth, resilience, and reinvention—quite reflective of the maturation process and changing nature of a Hollywood career.

Article Source: Vt