Earlier than Black Doves, Pleasure & Prejudice, and even Pirates of the Caribbean, fan-favorite star Keira Knightley starred in a feel-good cult basic referred to as Bend It Like Beckham. Knightley options alongside Parminder Nagra as Jules and Jess, two younger girls who aspire to play skilled soccer (soccer within the film’s U.Okay. setting), to each their households’ dismay.
The sports activities basic is seemingly reasserting its place within the zeitgeist, with writer-director Gurinder Chadha saying a Bend It Like Beckham sequel in July 2025. Nonetheless, when Knightley was just lately requested by PEOPLE at a screening for The Lady in Cabin 10, she seemingly dodged the query of whether or not she will probably be reprising the function of Jules.
“I noticed that on telly,” stated Knightley in regards to the sequel. “So sure, I imply, how thrilling.” Nonetheless, she provided no definitive replace on being concerned with the film, questioning herself what the brand new film will appear to be. “I imply, once I noticed it on the telly I assumed, ‘Oh, how beautiful, I ponder what that will probably be?‘” The sequel’s story would convey again the outdated characters, however not one of the authentic solid has signed on but.
The 40-year-old star additionally commented on the impactful legacy of Bend It Like Beckham, saying it’s the film she is requested about essentially the most: “Notably so many ladies do play [soccer] now, they usually need to come up and speak about it. So it’s wonderful to be part of one thing that has, type of, legacy and that positivity round it.“
Bend It Like Beckham was Knightley’s breakout function, however she solely achieved worldwide fame by way of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl a yr later. 2003 was additionally the yr she starred within the iconic Christmas rom-com Love Really. In only a few brief years, she made two extra Pirates of the Caribbean films and earned her first Oscar nomination for Pleasure & Prejudice.
Knightley went on to safe one other Oscar nomination for The Imitation Sport and star in different films resembling Atonement, The Duchess, By no means Let Me Go, and Anna Karenina. She has most just lately carved out a distinct segment for herself in Netflix thrillers with Black Doves and The Lady in Cabin 10. Knightley is doubtlessly the highest-profile star in the present day from Bend It Like Beckham.
Nonetheless, the sequel would additionally most likely need to at the least convey again Parminder Nagra and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who’re each nonetheless appearing. Bend It Like Beckham could be one other legacy sequel to hit moviegoers, which could provoke concern that it’s going to tarnish the unique’s legacy — nevertheless it may nonetheless be a brand new uplifting story about Jess and Jules’ soccer careers and friendship years down the road.
- Launch Date
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April 12, 2002
- Runtime
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112 min
- Director
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Gurinder Chadha