Keira: We originally shot a different ending, where she goes back to the Tallis house and sees a vision of Robbie and Cecilia in the back of a library. It was just one shot that didn’t end up getting used, anyway, but she did this monologue that was incredible. I spoke to her a bit before we started and, obviously, subsequently. (highlight to read next part -spoilers) I think she’s absolutely extraordinary. That last shot, which I think they did in three takes -- it’s two different shots -- which is the twist, if you like, when it explains about herself, is one of the most beautiful performances I’ve ever seen. I think it’s absolutely stunning. I find her so exciting. And, the fact that she’s still excited about what she does, and believes in what she does, is very inspirational.

Q: You’ve been lauded for your fashion sense. How does fashion affect your life?

Keira: Have I? It doesn’t. Not really. It must be a fluke.

Q: Were there a lot of other scenes that were cut out of the film? Was there a lot of deleted stuff?

Keira: Was there one with me that was cut out? I think there might have been. I can’t remember what it would have been. I think there may have been one with me that’s gone. I can’t remember what it was, though, and I don’t know what’s making me say that, but I just seem to have a memory of something. I think that quite a lot was taken out of the Dunkirk sequence, but I wasn’t there. But, just from having listened to them doing various interviews, apparently some stuff was taken out of the Dunkirk to tighten that up. There was certainly quite a big difference in the film, between the first cut that I saw and the final cut. It was really good when I first saw it. It had bits of music, but it wasn’t fully scored and we hadn’t done the sound for it, but it was still a good film. But, nobody cried. You came out and you felt like you had been fucking punched in the stomach, but you didn’t cry. And then, I went back to see the final thing and people were crying, pretty much from that moment in the Swallows Tea Shop until the end. It’s incredible how one cut can make the difference between a good film and something that really is tight and really works. It was just Joe going, “Wait a minute, I think there’s something else.” And, a lot of it had to do with the ending. Originally, it did have that ending that we first shot, and we actually went back and did a re-shoot, and shot the ending that’s on it now. So, I think that that helped a lot, to bring the full tragedy. And, the fact that you only see Vanessa once, for that last scene, I think that’s very powerful. So, yes, there were bits and pieces that were altered, but not hugely. We’re talking very minor things, taken out and put back in. But, it made a hell of a difference.

Q: Do you know why the post-production for the film lasted nine months?

Keira: That’s not a particularly long time. We didn’t start with a release date. You do a big film, like ‘Pirates,’ and you start with a release date, which means that [Gore] only had two months to cut it, or something crazy like that. But, with this, it was very much, “Okay, cut it. See what you’ve got. Let’s see how we release this.” The thing about having a smaller film, where it’s not all about tying it in with this, that and the other, it’s very different. For this kind of a film, as far as I know, nine months isn’t that excessive. I think it should take as long as it takes. You make it until it’s right, in the best possible world. And, I think that’s what Joe did with this.

Q: How was it to work with James McAvoy?

Keira: I think he’s extraordinary. He came in to audition for the part, along with some really, really great British actors, who were really top notch. And, everybody read it wonderfully. And then, James came in. Joe was very specific about the physical type that he wanted for the role. And, we’d talked about James before. I knew his work. I thought he was sensational. But, physically, it wasn’t what Joe had described to me. So, he came in and I’ve never seen a screen test like it. He grew to 6'6". He just morphed. And, he left the room and we were completely silent for about 10 minutes afterwards, and just went, “Right, well, that’s him.”

Q: What scene was the screen test?

Keira: We did the fountain scene and we did the Swallows Tea Shop. We did those two scenes. I just think he has the rare ability to completely morph into whatever character he’s playing. I think he’s one of the most talented actors around, at the moment. And, he really respects what he does, sees it as a craft and hones it. When you watch him, you watch somebody really working at constantly making it truthful and constantly making it better, and finding it really important to be in film, and respecting what he does. There’s an incredible integrity to him. And, he’s also incredibly giving, as a partner. It’s very much a collaboration. It’s very much about the company and the team, and about getting the best out of everyone, like Joe Wright is. I think he’s completely phenomenal, and it will be very exciting to see what he does.

Q: You’ve had a bit of a hiatus from the big-budget Hollywood studio machine. Can you see yourself going back into that?

Keira: Yeah, of course. I hope so, if there’s something that interests me. Possibly, I should think, because it would be very savvy, business wise, of me to go, “Yes, I’m going to do this, and then I’m going to do a big one.” But, I can’t think like that. It has to be what interests me, at the time. I think there is a brilliant place for entertainment for entertainment’s sake. I think it’s completely wonderful to go to the cinema and see a complete ride and enjoy your popcorn and have a great time. And, sometime, when I’m in the mood, I will find a script and that’s exactly what I’ll do. I think it is partly because ‘Pirates’ did take such a long time, and I was within that for such a long time, that I’ve just craved something that’s different. For me, the point of acting has been to change, as much as possible, and I’ve been very fortunate to be able to do that. So, hopefully, I’ll find something fun and ridiculous and explosive, and I’ll enjoy doing it. But, I just haven’t found it yet.