Keira Knightley almost turned down Pirates

04-07-2006 12:01

Keira Knightley almost turned down a part in 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.The actress - who is on a worldwide tour promoting the sequel, 'Dead Man's Chest', to the 2003 hit - says the fact the film was based on a theme park ride put her off.She said: "I was like, 'Wait a minute, you're doing a pirate movie, something that hasn't worked in about 50 years, and it's based on an amusement park ride?!" The star - who was nominated for an Oscar this year for her role as Elizabeth Bennet in 'Pride and Prejudice' - was also convinced the original film was going to be rubbish.She revealed to America's New York Daily News newspaper: "Orlando and I were sitting next to each other at the premiere, which was the first time I'd seen it, and we'd had a big talk and decided that if it was awful, we'd still leave the theatre all smiles."Halfway through the film, I nudged him and said, 'It's quite good, isn't it?' and he was like, 'Yeah, it's really good'. We had no idea it would work."The first movie, 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl', eventually made $650 million worldwide.

The second film opens this month, while a third instalment - tentatively titled 'Worlds End' - is due for release next year.