Thanks to her swashbuckling roles in Pirates Of The Caribbean and King Arthur, British actress Keira Knightley is already well-known as a woman who can handle herself when push comes to shove. The svelte performer was showing a more feminine side to her character on Tuesday night, though, when she arrived for the premiere of her latest flick Domino in a seductive black halterneck gown.
But perhaps unsurprisingly, her alluring red carpet appearance was a world away from the character she plays in the film. Keira's new movie sees her taking on the role of bounty hunter Domino Harvey, the one-time model who famously turned her back on the catwalk to go on the trail of some of America's most dangerous criminals.
"Here's this girl, part of Hollywood royalty, who has everything," explained Keira. "And she walks away from it, a strong, brave, crazy kind of move." Working on the flick gave her the chance to hang out with some real-life tough guys, as director Tony Scott used Los Angeles gang members to shoot many of the scenes. "They were real gangbangers, but they were great to my mum on the set," revealed the 20-year-old. "She would ask them 'what does this tattoo mean? And this one?' and they would explain."
Joining her on the red carpet were her co-stars Lucy Liu, who was a picture of elegance in a floaty ankle-length white creation, and Mena Suvari. Silver screen veteran Mickey Rourke, who plays the young bounty hunter's mentor Ed, meanwhile made his mark in a vibrant, multi-coloured jacket.
The 49-year-old actor, who has recently returned to the US after an extended stay in Britain, is enjoying something of a comeback these days. Not so long ago Mickey's hell-raising ways led to a lengthy career slump, and the performer was eager to thank those who have stood by him. "They wanted somebody else to do this," he confessed. "But Tony fought for me. At the same time Guy Ritchie offered me a part in his movie Revolver but I've got a loyalty to Tony and I had to be there - I'm not going to make the same mistakes I made before."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
