Jane Austen’s romantic novel from the 1800s Pride and Prejudice focusing on Elizabeth Bennet and her character development, has been one of the best onscreen adaptations, featuring Keira Knightley. But surprisingly, although the English actress stole the spotlight with her riveting role, Knightley almost missed the opportunity.
Appearing on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Keira Knightley noted how the director of Pride & Prejudice, Joe Wright, was initially hesitant to cast her. According to the actress, the filmmaker thought she was apparently too pretty for the role of Elizabeth Bennet. But eventually, after meeting her, Wright reconsidered his opinion and cast the actress.
Keira Knightley Almost Lost Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice
When Joe Wright decided to make the onscreen adaptation of Jane Austen’s romantic novel, Pride and Prejudice, from the 1800s, he initially thought of Keira Knightley as the protagonist. Since the story focused on the life and character development of Elizabeth Bennet, Wright was interested in casting Knightley as the lead actress.
However, soon the filmmaker changed his mind and began contemplating his decision. According to Keira Knightley, who appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, noted that Joe Wright became hesitant because he thought that she was too beautiful for the country girl role of Elizabeth Bennet.
“You met with the director for the first time, because he, obviously he knew who you were but he was hesitant to cast you in the role of Elizabeth Bennet. Why was he hesitant?” Conan O’Brien asked.
“He said that I was too pretty. Which is quite a nice way to be turned down for a part really. I mean you can’t be too angry about it.” Knightley shared.
Discussing how she was initially turned down for the part for being too pretty, Keira Knightley began explaining what happened next, which changed the director’s mind.
Keira Knightley was Considered Too Pretty for the Role
Although Keira Knightley was initially turned down for the part of Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice, she was eventually cast in the role. Despite the director’s initial hesitation, Knightley eventually landed the role. But how? According to the actress, after the director met her, he realized that he had a baseless opinion about her.
“And then, he met me and he went ‘no, no you’re fine’. Thanks.”
Referring to how she impressed Joe Wright, Keira Knightley noted that her tomboyish nature is what made her perfect for the role, despite her unmatched beauty. The actress was only 20 years old at the time of casting, and she already had enough fame from her role in Pirates of the Caribbean thus, she seemed like a good candidate for the role.
But Joe Wright was having a dilemma about casting her as Elizabeth Bennet. Although he wanted to cast her because of her riveting skills, he initially considered her too pretty. But eventually after meeting her face to face, Wright noticed her tomboyishness and realized that she was more than perfect for the role, via Mental Floss. Thus, eventually, Knightley went on to play Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 movie Pride & Prejudice.
Pride & Prejudice streaming on Netflix.
