Keith Richards Says He Never Expected to Be a Disney ‘Darling’

Despite reports that Disney was thinking to cut all scenes with Keith Richards in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the actor is still very much a Disney “darling” to this day, when the film is just days from hitting theaters worldwide.

Come to think of it, the image of the Rolling Stone star, who’s never made a secret of his drug and very rock ’n’ roll past, doesn’t really fit in with the Disney image – and he’s the first to note that.

In an interview with the Hero Complex, Richards admits he never believed his brief cameo in the 2007 “At World’s End” would be so well received to have Disney ask him back for the 2011 “Pirates” film as well.

While he may not understand where his appeal lies, Richards doesn’t plan to spend too much time thinking about it, because he wants to enjoy it.

“No one is more surprised by all of it than me. I never expected to work for the Disney organization for a while. I’m still shocked, but, hey, it’s all good fun,” he says.

What makes the Disney collaboration more fun (aside from the money, presumably) is having the chance to work with actor Johnny Depp, whom he describes as a “blood on blood” friend.

As fans must know, the two play father and son in the film, and Johnny too has said in previous interviews that the relationship is also partly mirrored in real life as well.

“If Johnny says he wants to do something, well, it doesn’t take much to get me to show up. Well, basically, I tell Johnny what to do at one point, and then I get out of there,” Richards says with a laugh.

Speaking of being on the “Pirates” set (“On Stranger Tides” has been shot in 3D), Richards welcomes the change and, most importantly, the chance of learning new things, of doing something entirely different from what he’s accustomed to.

“This is so different than what I usually do, and I love to see how’s it made, you know, and this is one 3-D with the big cameras and all, and I’m interested in that, and I get to see the latest techniques,” he says.

For the full interview, please refer here. “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is out in theaters in the US and in other territories on May 20.