Keira Knightley Recalls Initial Expectations for ‘Bend It Like Beckham’
Keira Knightley had incredibly low expectations for what eventually became one of her biggest hits: “I literally remember telling people I was doing it and it’s called ‘Bend It Like Beckham,’ and them going, ‘Oh that’s really embarrassing.'” https://t.co/octjOvu6Gf pic.twitter.com/hL5XVKWSH2
- IndieWire (@IndieWire) March 17, 2023
Knightley rose to prominence for her role in the 2002 soccer comedy “Bend It Like Beckham.”
She never expected it to be her big break.
In fact, she and everyone around her seemed to think that the movie was destined for failure.
When she told her friends about the project, the only words of encouragement they could offer were predictions that the film would flop so badly that it would be forgotten.
“Bend It Like Beckham” was made in a cultural environment where women’s soccer was not yet a major spectator sport, causing her to question the amount of interest that such a film could generate.
Knightley was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic reception the movie received. The film has had more cultural staying power than most of her other work, and she has no regrets about making it.
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