Orlando Bloom breaks silence on Keira Knightley’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ regrets

Orlando Bloom stood by Keira Knightley, his former co-star, after she opened up about criticism of her Pirates of the Caribbean role.

In conversation with Entertainment Weekly via Zoom call, the 48-year-old English actor shared that despite his own fond memories, he sympathizes with the 39-year-old English actress' mixed feelings about their Pirates journey.

Looking back, he described the movie franchise as a defining era in his life, one that now feels like a completely different time. 

While the Troy actor is thankful for the experience, Orlando admitted he understands Keira’s mixed emotions, commending her talent and contributions, adding that he has fond memories from his time on the films.

Candidly speaking with The Times in November, the Love Actually star shared that while the films launched her career, they also took a significant toll on her.

"I was seen as s*** because of the franchise, and yet because they did so well, I was given the opportunity to do the films that I ended up getting Oscar nominations for," she told the publication.

"They were the most successful films I'll ever be a part of, and they were the reason that I was taken down publicly," the actress added. 

Orlando took on the role of Will Turner, a noble-hearted and skilled blacksmith whose life takes an unexpected turn when his beloved Elizabeth Swann, played by Keira, is abducted by pirates in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie in 2003.