Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Your movies and TV digest from the team at GamesRadar+

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

Keira Knightley recalls appearing in Star Wars: "I was in the background, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open"

News
By Matt Maytum, Jack Shepherd
Published 6 March 2020

Knightley played Padmé's body double in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: LucasFilm)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Did you know that Keira Knightley was in a Star Wars movie? No, we're not mistaking the British actress for Daisy Ridley (though a lot of people have pointed out that they look similar). We're talking about Knightley's role in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, in which she played the body double to Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman).

Speaking to our sister publication Total Film magazine, Knightley was asked about her time in that fabled galaxy far, far away, as well as her experience in the Pirate of the Caribbean movies. Here's a small extract from the huge career interview, available in the new issue of Total Film, which is out now. Meanwhile, Knightley will next appear in Misbehaviour, which reaches cinemas Friday, March 13.

TF: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace was one of your earliest film experiences. What do you remember about that? 

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

Knightley: I mean, I was 12. I literally don’t remember... I remember the headdress being so heavy, it gave me a headache. I really remember the headache from one of the headdresses. And I remember being in the background for such a long time that I’d actually fallen asleep. I was just sitting in a chair, and I was in the background, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I really remember that. But apart from that, I don’t remember anything else about it. 

Was the first Pirates Of The Caribbean an overwhelming experience? 

You may like
  • Padme in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Natalie Portman once said everyone thought she was a "horrible actress" after appearing in the Star Wars prequels
  • Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Hayden Christensen thinks there's "still opportunity" to reunite with Padmé actor Natalie Portman in Star Wars
  • Bix in Andor season 2 Andor star Adria Arjona almost starred in Solo but is "so thankful" she didn't get the part

The first Pirates, I was 17. I don’t remember it that well. Overwhelming? Yeah. The problem is, I don’t really know what I remember, and what I just talked about. I know I said that I felt like I was going to get fired. Which sounds like me. But I don’t really remember that feeling. I think I just felt like I was really lucky. I didn’t anticipate that that would mean that I then would just have an amazing career in Hollywood films afterwards. That’s not where I thought my career was going to be. [On the first one] we got left quite alone, because Johnny Depp hadn’t had a commercial success, and a pirate movie hadn’t worked in probably generations, and it was based on a Disney theme park ride. No one was particularly going, “This is going to be a big hit.” So actually, relatively speaking, it was quite a chilled-out set. But when it got to 2 and 3 after that one had made like a billion dollars or whatever it was, I think that’s when it was suddenly a very different thing.

Total Film also spoke in detail to Daniel Craig, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Lashana Lynch, Ana de Armas, Rami Malek, and more about No Time To Die. There are two different covers available on newsstands now! Check them both out below:

Your movies and TV digest from the team at GamesRadar+

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we’ve got you covered.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

(Image credit: Universal/Total Film)

(Image credit: Universal/Total Film)

If you’re a fan of Total Film, why not subscribe so that you never miss an issue, and you’ll get exclusive subscriber-only covers delivered directly to your doormat before the magazine hits shelves?

We’re currently running a subscription offer where you can subscribe for as little as £10.25 for three months, and you’ll also get a die cast metal 1:100 replica of the Hogwarts Express from Corgi. Head to My Favourite Magazines now to take advantage of the offer. (Ts and Cs apply.)

Total Film's latest subscription offer.

(Image credit: Universal/Corgi/Total Film)
Jack Shepherd
Jack Shepherd
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.

Read more
Padme in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Movies Natalie Portman once said everyone thought she was a "horrible actress" after appearing in the Star Wars prequels
 
 
Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Movies Hayden Christensen thinks there's "still opportunity" to reunite with Padmé actor Natalie Portman in Star Wars
 
 
Bix in Andor season 2
Star Wars TV Shows Andor star Adria Arjona almost starred in Solo but is "so thankful" she didn't get the part
 
 
Darth Vader lit red by his lightsaber in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are sharing their most commonly misremembered moments in the saga
 
 
Rey in The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies 3 years since it was announced, Star Wars fans think the Rey movie will "probably never" come out
 
 
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Movies 21 years later, Star Wars fans spot an emotional parallel between Return of the Jedi and Revenge of the Sith
 
 
Latest in Movies
Glenn Close in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Action Movies The Hunger Games director explains why Sunrise on the Reaping is a "return to form" for the franchise
 
 
Jake Gyllenhaal in Remain
Thriller Movies M. Night Shyamalan's new movie is being called a "masterpiece" and the "perfect companion" to The Sixth Sense
 
 
Andrew Koji as Ryu in the trailer for the upcoming Street Fighter movie
Live Action Movies Street Fighter movie references the franchise's most iconic match: the parry-fest of Evo Moment 37
 
 
An image of Maul (Dwayne Johnson) from the Moana trailer
Family Movies Disney boss thinks the live-action Moana sunk at the box office because there wasn't enough "demand for another film"
 
 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff in the upcoming movie, Kraven the Hunter.
Marvel Movies Kraven actor knew "in the moment" the Spider-Man spin-off would be bad
 
 
Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen in Clayface
DC Movies Despite writing the script, Mike Flanagan says he hasn't seen Clayface and it's "very much not mine"
 
 
Latest in News
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser is avoiding GTA 6 so it doesn't "distract or disrupt" his new games
 
 
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 screenshot showing a group of medieval men sitting at a table with food, cheering together with wooden mugs of beer lifted high
RPGs Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Hans actor has finally opened his medieval-inspired bar in Prague
 
 
With one black wing open, Sephiroth descends from a cloudy sky in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Revelation lead says making each game in the trilogy complete was "non-negotiable"
 
 
The Xbox Game Pass logo with a huge range of the games available as the tiled background
Xbox Ex-PlayStation lead says it's "impossible" for devs to make a profit on Game Pass
 
 
Aerith looks at something in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Revelation lead says he pushed Square Enix for a physical version of the JRPG
 
 
Warlock character holding a purple magic rune
Open World Games Warlock devs eventually realized that "too powerful" D&D spells were the perfect starting point
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. "That's something we kept in mind while developing our combat system"
    1
    "Fable's original combat has a legacy of being quite approachable," so the RPG's devs don't want to change that with the new game
  2. 2
    Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser is avoiding GTA 6 so it doesn't "distract or disrupt" his new games, including another open-world comedy
  3. 3
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Hans actor has finally opened his medieval tavern-inspired bar in Prague
  4. 4
    From Batman to Wonder Woman, here are the 3 must-read DC Absolute Universe comics
  5. 5
    Final Fantasy 7 Revelation lead explains that making each game in the RPG trilogy a "complete experience" was "non-negotiable" from the beginning

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...