Keira: 'Pirates' Success Surprised Me

Now, Sequel Hitting Screens; Zealously Guards Privacy

(CBS)  Keira Knightley went from a relative unknown to a major star, thanks to the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie.

A sequel, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," hits theaters Friday.

She admitted to People magazine editor at large and The Early Show entertainment contributor Jess Cagle she was as surprised as anyone at the success of the film that changed her life.

"When we were talking about it," she told Cagle, "a pirate film hadn't worked for 50 years. I mean, they'd been famous for completely flopping. And not only is it a pirate film, but it's based on a Disney ride.

"And you kind of went, 'There's no way this can work.' So, it was amazing. I still remember sitting there, I was sitting next to Orlando Bloom (who plays Will Turner) the first time I saw it. And we'd all had the pep talk, 'Could be bad, but we'll just come out with a united front. It's going to be fine. We'll just put a brave face on it. ' "

"I remember, kind of halfway through, kind of poking him, going, 'I think it's alright.' And he's going, 'I'm really enjoying it. I think everyone's really enjoying it! It's good!'

"Yeah, it was a complete surprise. Totally."

So why did she sign on for it in the first place then?

"I didn't have any other offers!" Knightley laughed.

She says working with Johnny Depp, who portrayed and portrays Capt. Jack Sparrow, is a true challenge in that he's so funny, he always has everyone on the verge of cracking up.

"You kind of need to get to about take 10 before you stop laughing," she said.

Knightley spends much of the "Pirates" sequel in men's clothing, but off-screen, has become one of Hollywood's most stylish actresses, one Cagle calls "a red carpet highlight," whether she's wearing Chanel at the sequel's premiere or Vera Wang at this year's Oscars.

"I think it's just quite funny," she conceded. "I find it all very funny. I mean, I find it ridiculous. (You) sort of look at yourself and go, 'What are you doing?' It's hilarious. … You feel like a little bit of a mannequin, and people come over, and (you're in) somebody else's dress, and somebody else's jewelry, and somebody else is doing your hair and makeup. And, so, I feel completely unlike me, which is rather nice."