29 JUNE 2004

Keira Knightley, Clive Owen and Ioan Gruffudd brought a touch of medieval class to the Big Apple on Monday when their new film King Arthur had its world premiere.

The swashbuckling flick is an epic retelling of the legend of the Round Table. And fans of the British actors can expect to see their favourite stars as never before. Keira, who arrived to the screening in an elegant black dress with bead-encrusted detailing, plays a deadly Queen Guinevere in the film. br>
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star was showing off a new hairstyle on the night, but it was nothing compared to the change of image she underwent for her onscreen persona.

The 19-year-old actress had to undergo eight months of gruelling training to play the axe-wielding femme fatale. Working with Tinseltown tough-guy Ed Chow, who helped Angelina Jolie shape up for Lara Croft, she had daily sessions of weightlifting, boxing and archery.

"For me it was basically trying to bulk me out to make me look like I could possibly fight with a man and come off alright," explained the Londoner. "It is amazing how much you can change your body and it was a bit unnerving to be a dress size up and in such a short time."

Her two leading men also have their work cut out in the new movie. Clive Owen, who is best-known for Gosford Park and Beyond Borders, takes on the title role, while Hornblower's Ioan Gruffudd is Sir Lancelot.