Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Orlando Bloom weighs in on Keira Knightley’s Pirates of the Caribbean criticisms

‘It feels almost like another lifetime now,’ British actor said

Jacob Stolworthy
Sunday 02 February 2025 09:30 GMT
Comments
250129 Pirates Of The Caribbean Trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Orlando Bloom has reflected on Keira Knightley’s comments about Pirates of the Caribbean.

The actor played Knightley’s love interest Will Turner in three of the swashbuckling adventure films from 2003 to 2007, with the pair returning as a cameo in 2017 sequel Dead Men Tell No Tales.

While the franchise made global stars of both Bloom and Knightley, the British actor said in a recent interview that it wasn’t all fun and games starring in the films as she felt the franchise was simultaneously “making and breaking” her.

“I was seen as s*** because of them, and yet because they did so well I was given the opportunity to do the films that I ended up getting Oscar nominations for,” the star of Pride and Prejudice and Atonement told The Times.

Bloom has now spoken out about Knightley’s musings on her experience, telling Entertainment Weekly: “I definitely understand where Keira was coming from, and she does wonderful things [in the films].

The actor said that he has “a lot of positive takeaways” from his time starring in the blockbusters.

He continued: “It was such a huge moment in time that is almost like … it feels almost like another lifetime now. But it certainly was unique and, you know, I’m always grateful.”

Elaborating on her time starring in the Pirates franchise, Knightley said: “They were the most successful films I’ll ever be a part of and they were the reason that I was taken down publicly.

“So they’re a very confused place in my head.”

‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ stars Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley
‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ stars Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley (Disney)

A sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film is in the works, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer appearing to confirm in 2024 that lead star Johnny Depp would not be involved.

The producing maestro, whose Top Gun: Maverick had huge box office success in 2022, told ComicBook.com: “With Top Gun, you have an actor who is iconic and brilliant [Tom Cruise]. But we’re gonna reboot Pirates, so that is easier to put together because you don’t have to wait for certain actors.”

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

The possibility of Depp returning to the Pirates franchise was the subject of testimony during his defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp was asked by Heard’s lawyer: “If Disney came to you with $300m dollars and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film?”

“That is true,” Depp answered.

Johnny Depp and Knightley in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’
Johnny Depp and Knightley in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ (Disney)

While the legal battle was ongoing, Bruckheimer told The Times that Disney had no plans to bring Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow, but added: “The future is yet to be decided.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in