In preparation for the coming release of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END, Keira Knightley was interviewed by EMPIRE “to discuss all things Trilogy.” Keira is full of praise for all her colleagues and calls director Gore Verbinski “a hero,” but she expects this to be Elizabeth Swann’s foray into the pirate world: “I can’t imagine them doing another PIRATES,” she tells EMPIRE, “but never say never. I hope if they did, they’d make some different costumes!”

Asked to describe working with Johnny Depp, Keira replies, “Working with Johnny is incredible. I think he’s one of the most talented actors of his generation and seeing him work and create the character is really extraordinary. He takes risks. He’s not one of those actors who’s like, ‘well, this is what my fans would like’ or anything like that. He really pushes boundaries and that’s an extraordinary thing for a young actress to see. I remember seeing him play Captain Jack for the first time and everybody went, ‘what is he doing?’ But he was like, ‘this is the way I’m playing it!’ I love the fact he creates. That’s very inspirational. And as a person, he’s lovely. I like [him] very much. “

And what was it like to work with rock ‘n’ roll legend Keith Richards? “Keith was only there for three days, but he was great,” says Keira. “Obviously after the first film everybody knew that Johnny had done his characterisation of Keith, so it was really lovely to have him come in and do the cameo. He had a hat, a feather and dreadlocks. It was great. I thought he was very nice. [. . .] He did a great pirate ‘aaaaaar!’ Actually, that was the only thing he said to me. I said, ‘Hi I’m Keira’ and he went ‘Aaaar!'” A charming moment . . . .

The full EMPIRE interview with Keira Knightley is posted on the Porch; the Zone thanks emma for sharing it with us. –Part-Time Poet