Bethesda Announces Keira Knightley to lend voice to Pirates of the Caribbean video game

Star of Disney's Highly-Anticipated "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" to Narrate New Swashbuckling Adventure for Xbox and PC

May 30, 2003 (Rockville, MD) -- Bethesda Softworks® announced today that actress Keira Knightley will narrate the thrilling role playing video game, Pirates of the Caribbean. Knightley stars in Disney's upcoming feature film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" which opens in theaters nationwide on July 9th. Slated for a June 2003 release for the Xbox(tm) video game system from Microsoft and PC CD-ROM, the Pirates of the Caribbean game offers players the most realistic pirating action to date.

"We are thrilled to have Keira Knightley join the project," says Todd Vaughn, executive producer of the Pirates of the Caribbean video game. "Adding her talent and voice to the game greatly enhances this deep, rich gameplay experience."

In addition to her role as the female lead in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Keira Knightley can also be seen in the current box office hit, "Bend It Like Beckham" for which she won the Best Newcomer Award from the London Film Critics. Knightley was recently cast as Guinevere in the upcoming Bruckheimer action film, "King Arthur."

"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to work on this exciting project," said Knightley. "The Pirates game will be a wonderful extension of the film and I'm sure the gaming public will enjoy it immensely."

Developed by Akella and Bethesda Softworks, the Pirates of the Caribbean video game is a unique role-playing experience with an intriguing storyline, which gives players the ability to explore everything the world has to offer. Deciding to become a cold-hearted mercenary for hire, a peaceful and profitable merchant or a swashbuckling pirate will influence future interactions. Gaining wealth and experience gives players the opportunity to hire crewmembers, sail larger ships, and uncover priceless treasures.

About the Film:
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
From producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes the thrilling live-action adventure "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley, and directed by Gore Verbinski. For the roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow (JOHNNY DEPP), the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, like the high seas the world over, present a vast playground where adventure and mystery abound. But Jack's idyllic life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (GEOFFREY RUSH), steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the Governor's (JONATHAN PRYCE) beautiful daughter, Elizabeth Swann (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY).

Elizabeth's childhood friend, Will Turner (ORLANDO BLOOM), joins forces with Jack to commandeer the fastest ship in the British fleet, the HMS Interceptor, in a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl. The duo and their motley crew are pursued by Elizabeth's betrothed, the debonair, ambitious Commodore Norrington (JACK DAVENPORT), aboard the HMS Dauntless. Unbeknownst to Will, there is a curse that has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as the undead, where each moonlight, they are transformed into living skeletons. The curse they carry can be broken only if a once-plundered treasure is restored. Stunning visual effects bring these formidable foes to life as our valiant heroes clash mightily with Barbossa and his invincible pirates of the Caribbean.

For more information on the film, visit www.pirates.movies.com.