Keira Knightley has addressed whether she might return for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Best known among fans of the franchise for playing Elizabeth Swann, Knightley starred in the original trilogy alongside Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp before stepping away from the series aside from one brief cameo.

Outside of Pirates, the two-time Academy Award nominee has built a celebrated career with projects like Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. Meanwhile, Disney’s long-running franchise has grossed billions worldwide, though the studio has been exploring a creative reset since ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales in 2017.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Knightley shut down the rumors of her potential return to the Pirates of the Caribbean ​​​​​​franchise. While promoting her latest film, The Woman in Cabin 10, the actor was asked if there had been any conversations about a potential return of the original cast, which she denied. Read her response below:

There haven’t been any conversations. No, no.

When asked about where she would like to see her character next, Knightley admitted that she does not remember what happened to Elizabeth at the end of Pirates of the Caribbean, and said that “she should be a pirate.” Read her comments below:

My character? In Pirates? What happened to her? I don’t really remember what happened to her. So, I’m not quite sure where she should go afterwards. She should be a pirate, right?

What This Means For Pirates Of The Caribbean 6

Knightley’s dismissal of her return to Pirates of the Caribbean 6 changes the discussion around the reboot. For years, the franchise has been caught in speculation over which legacy characters might appear to revive the franchise. However, Knightley’s comments redirect attention away from cameos and nostalgia and towards the bigger challenge of creating a compelling story for the next installment.

The Pirates franchise has long thrived on Jack Sparrow’s antics and the story between Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, but those arcs reached natural conclusions. The last two films, On Stranger Tides and ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales, grossed $1 billion and $794 million worldwide, respectively. However, they both received lackluster reviews, with critics blaming overly complicated plots and a lack of originality.

One way the franchise could move forward is by introducing an entirely new pirate crew, or expanding the mythology of the seas beyond what’s already been explored. Pirates could lean into the darker pirate folklore, supernatural elements, or even different cultural settings that highlight fresh pirate legends.

Reinventing the franchise could remind audiences that the world of Pirates of the Caribbean is not limited to Jack Sparrow’s adventures. By choosing to innovate instead of repeat, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 could prove that it’s still relevant in today’s blockbuster landscape. Franchises that succeed in reinvention have shown that letting go of nostalgia can pay off.

Our Take On Pirates Of The Caribbean 6

Knightley’s comments highlight the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. While her role as Elizabeth Swann remains iconic, it’s clear that she has moved on from the franchise. With Disney rethinking how to move forward, nostalgia alone won’t be enough to keep audiences engaged while appealing to new viewers.

The last two films showed that box office strength can’t hide a declining critical reception. For Pirates of the Caribbean 6 to succeed, the franchise has to evolve, whether through new characters, inventive storytelling, or a complete makeover of the franchise.