Keira Knightley reveals on The Tonight Show she was ‘mocked’ for starring in Bend it Like Beckham

Just days after the 20th anniversary of the US release of Bend it Like Beckham, Keira Knightley reveals she was “mocked” for taking on the role.

The 37-year-old actress was just 18 when the film opened in the United States, earning $76.6 million worldwide on a budget of just $5.6 million.

The role was a breakthrough for Knightley, who started acting when she was just six years old, though she revealed on The Tonight Show Wednesday that she was “mocked” for the role.

Knightley was promoting her new role in the upcoming film Boston Strangler, where she plays reporter Loretta McLaughlin, who first broke the story and connected the seemingly unrelated murders.

While referring to the beginnings of her career, Jimmy Fallon mentioned that it was only the 20th anniversary of Bend it Like Beckham, though the actress reveals that her friends weren’t impressed with the role.

Not impressed: While referring to the beginnings of her career, Jimmy Fallon mentioned that it was only the 20th anniversary of Bend it Like Beckham, though the actress reveals that her friends weren’t impressed with the role

When asked if he knew the movie would be his big hit, Knightley said that was never a thought.

‘No. No, no, I mean, I literally remember telling people I was doing it, and saying, you know, “It’s called ‘doubling like Beckham,’ and they were like, ‘Oh, that’s really embarrassing,'” Knightley said. .

‘Yeah, yeah, no, everyone was like, “Don’t worry. No one will see it, it’s okay.” But it was the idea, because you know women’s football wasn’t that big back then,” Knightley explained.

“The whole idea of ​​it was kind of ridiculous and it’s amazing, because it’s still the movie, even today, you know, if anybody comes up and talks to me about my work, that’s it.” It’s so loved, it’s amazing,” Knightley admitted.

Bend it Like Beckham followed two girls (Knightley and Jesminder Bhamra) who were trying to pursue a career in soccer despite their parents’ wishes.

The film led to roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Love Really, which also hit theaters in 2003 and effectively launched his career after his breakthrough Bend it Like Beckham.

She also discussed her new movie Boston Strangler, following her character Loretta McLaughlin and Carrie Coon’s Jean Cole as they hunt down the Strangler.

When asked how much he knew of the true story, Knightley said, “I didn’t really know much, obviously I’d heard of it.”

Never: When asked if she knew the movie would be her breakout, Knightley said that was never a thought.

Two girls: Bend it Like Beckham followed two girls (Knightley and Jesminder Bhamra) who were attempting to pursue a career in soccer despite their parents’ wishes.

New Movie: She also discussed her new movie Boston Strangler, following her character Loretta McLaughlin and Carrie Coon’s Jean Cole as they hunt down the Strangler.

‘I just read the script. I thought, “Wow, this is such a complicated story. And so interesting,” she added.

“And what I didn’t realize is that there are two female journalists right in the middle of the story, and actually, when you Google it, you know, they were the two that really, more or less, went after it first.” they linked the murders and even called the killer, “The Boston Strangler.” And yet, when you google it, their part of that history has been largely erased,” he added.

She continued: “It felt like a really interesting piece, you know, it’s true crime. It felt, it felt great, a little bit, to see it through that female gaze, and to put these two journalists, more or less, in the center of everything.

When Fallon asked if she had done a Boston accent for the film, she said no, with Fallon adding, “That’s a smart move.”

She added, “Well, she wanted to do the Boston accent,” but the director was from Boston and told her not to.

“I mean, if you weren’t from the street the character was from in Boston, you weren’t allowed to do the Boston accent, so all the actors came in and said, ‘Boston accent! It’s our time,” she said.

Knightley added: ‘Yes, yes, no, we weren’t allowed. So it’s a standard American accent.

Boston Strangler, from writer-director Matt Ruskin, also stars Chris Cooper, Alessandro Nivola and David Dastmalchian, debuting on Hulu on March 17.

Complicated: ‘I just read the script. I thought, “Wow, this is such a complicated story. And so interesting,” she added.

No Accent: He added, ‘Well, he wanted to do the Boston accent,’ but the director was from Boston and told him not to.