That Time Pride & Prejudice Director Called Keira Knightley "Too Pretty" Only to Take His Words Back
Keira Knightley may have been voted the world's sexiest woman in 2006, but British director Joe Wright would have disagreed a couple of years earlier.
In case you are confused as to whether he is blind or something, let us explain.
Back in 2014, actress Keira Knightley made an appearance on The Graham Norton Show along with Sir Kenneth Branagh to discuss their then-latest movie – Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.
The show's host deviated from the original topic a bit to ask Keira if her "lovely" appearance always helped her acting career or not, hinting at a certain rumor that director Joe Wright originally didn't want Knightley for Pride & Prejudice because of her looks.
The actress went on to talk about working with Wright three times – on 2005's Pride & Prejudice, 2007's Atonement, and 2012's Anna Karenina.
She then confirmed that the director didn't want her to play Lizzy Bennet because she was "too pretty." That may have marked the end of their collaboration, but Wright later met with Knightley and said, "Oh no you're fine." Ouch!
The comment must have stung, but at least it secured Keira a lead role in the hit movie. The actress doesn't seem bitter – after all, she has chosen to work with Joe Wright two more times!
Knightley surely knows her value as she tells this as a funny story (nothing more, nothing less).
We don't know about you, but we absolutely loved Keira in Pride & Prejudice – the role seemed tailor-made for her.
Almost 20 years later, her career is still going strong, and Knightley can't complain about the lack of roles being offered to her.
Her latest movie, the period crime drama Boston Strangler, was released on Hulu just last month. Knightley stars as Loretta McLaughlin, a reporter who investigates three murder cases in 1960s Boston.
The successful actress looks as stunning as ever at 38 and is happily married with two kids (and we are happy for her!).