When asked about possible future roles in franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean, According to the article, she rejects the idea outright and explains:
The time required is extreme. [Die Dreharbeiten rauben dir] years of your life. You have no control over where you shoot, how long you shoot, or what you shoot.
The general effort and limitations of a blockbuster production are probably not the only reason for their distant attitude towards the Pirate series and franchises in general. According to her own statement, Pirates of the Caribbean opened up some doors for her, but it also caused painful public attacks:
People thought I was shit [der Filme]. But at the same time, it was only because of them that I got the roles for which I then received Oscar nominations. [Die Fluch der Karibik-Blockbuster] were the most successful films I have ever acted in. But I was publicly trashed because of them. They occupy a very confusing place in my mind.
Knightley last played her pirate role in 2018’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge. It was her fourth appearance as the unwilling privateer Elizabeth Swann.
The actress has previously spoken about the sexualization of her character and the restrictions on her freedom that she experienced in the Pirates franchise. In the interview with The Times she also discussed the rumors at the time about an eating disorder and explained: “It is a classic trauma reaction, I can’t remember.”
Its fans may mourn a Pirates of the Caribbean return, but will be able to understand the reasons for their rejection of the franchise. Pressure and stress are everyday life in the Hollywood business. But that doesn’t mean actors have to endure them. Anyone who really likes Keira Knightley will be happy that she stays away from the source of her trauma.