Keira Knightley takes the December 2007 cover of Elle Magazine, which hits newsstands nationwide next Tuesday, Nov. 13.

She may look for all the world like an old-school film beauty, but Keira has a spiky, anarchic streak that breaks the mold. In Atonement, she gets to have it both ways. Here are some snippets from Keira’s Elle interview:

On the tabloids: “What I hate is that they shove in your face: this is what you want to be. And you think, f—k that. I don’t want it. Stop telling me I want to look like her. Stop telling me I want that life. I don’t.”

On being moody: “I’m a moody bastard. Actually, I’ve been banned from reading newspapers because the way they’re written angers me so much. If I want an opinion, I’ll read the opinion part of the newspaper. I do not want it when I’m trying to get the facts. I get incredibly angry. It really f—ks me off. See, I have to calm down about it.”

On her sex scene in upcoming movie, “Atonement”: “There was no knob-touching, for real. But it certainly looked like that.”

On the word cute: “I hate cute, I’ve always hated cutesy. My mom used to ban the word cute. Absolutely banned.”

On romantic comedies: “I’m a total romantic- I love romantic films. But I don’t like being raped by sugar.”

On cell phones: “I hate them. It rings, and then I realize that I don’t want to talk to anyone. So I always press ignore.”

On becoming aware of her sexual powers: “Oh, my god. I don’t think I’m aware of it now! No… I’m lying. I don’t know why I said that. No, I’m not lying, actually. I’ll just have an argument with myself!” More Here! »

Well, her character is at least!

Keira Knightley (right) continues to film scenes as pregnant aristocrat Georgiana for her upcoming period drama The Duchess on Friday. The London set looks like one massive ball of anachronisms, combining period costumes and carriages with Wellington boots, cameras, and makeup touch-ups.

Keira, 22, took advantage of another “Take Your Boyfriend to Work Day” as she spends several off-camera moments keeping warm with actor beau Rupert Friend.

Other pictures include Keira and costar Dominic Cooper (History Boys) filming scenes for The Duchess late last month. Keira fluffed her lines and swore in frustration, much to the amusement of the crowd.

20+ pictures inside of Keira Knightley on the set of The Duchess… More Here! »

Keira Knightley sports a massive coiffure as she rides in an ornate carriage (complete with footmen) on the set of her upcoming film The Duchess.

Keira, 22, plays the scandalous 18th century aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. The film is adapted from Amanda Foreman’s biography of the duchess.

Here, the crew has transformed the London Maritime Museum in Greenwich into an 18th century-looking street.

The Duchess is scheduled for release in 2008. The film also stars Ralph Fiennes as William Cavendish the 5th Duke of Devonshire and Dominic Cooper (Dakin in History Boys) as Charles Grey the 2nd Earl Grey.

10+ pictures inside of Keira as The Duchess… More Here! »

Keira Knightley and back-to-brunette Rupert Friend take a romantic stroll through Central London holding hands on Monday morning.

Rupert, 26, carried around a video camera in hand (is there really a point in filming the paparazzi?) and toted around the environmentally friendly “I’m Not a Plastic Bag” groceries bag.

Keira, 22, was last seen promoting her film Silk at a premiere screening during the Toronto International Film Festival one week ago.

10+ pictures inside of Keira and Rupert lovin’ up London… More Here! »

Keira Knightley (in Erdem) is joined by co-stars Michael Pitt and Sei Ashina at the Silk premiere screening during the Toronto International Film Festival 2007 held at the Elgin Theatre on Tuesday.

She was recently asked by Entertainment Weekly if getting nominated for an Oscar in 2006 has changed things for for her. Here’s Keira’s response: “No, not really — apart from the fact that it was a wonderful kind of pat on the back. I know that sounds like nothing, but it was actually really needed at that point. Before Pride & Prejudice, I’d done Bend it Like Beckham and Pirates, and they were incredibly successful films, but I think people were very much looking at me going, ”Oh, she’s a pretty face, there isn’t much else to her.” And I was incredibly aware of that. I think you’re aware of everything that’s written about you when you first start. And then you learn not read all that. [Laughs] And I knew people had thought it was ridiculous that I was cast as Elizabeth Bennet. So when the reviews came out, it really helped.”

25+ pictures inside of Keira looking silky in Erdem… More Here! »

Keira Knightley (in Chanel) walks the red carpet at the North American premiere of Atonement during the Toronto International Film Festival 2007 held at Elgin Theatre on Monday in Toronto, Canada.

Atonement is getting rave reviews across the board, and apparently is the “best of the fest” in Toronto. Watch the latest trailer for Atonement here.

The Seattle Times just reviewed the fantastic film: “Faithfully adapted by Christopher Hampton, it’s a movie so gorgeous its scenes virtually shimmer; its first half, set at an idyllic English country house in the 1930s, is the stuff of dreams. Keira Knightley, effortlessly adopting the sort of rapid, posh upper-class accent in which all the words seem crushed between pages of a book, is a shallow young woman in love with the housekeeper’s son (James McAvoy). An encounter with him, glimpsed by her little sister, changes their lives; as does, soon afterward, the advent of World War II.”

20+ pictures inside of Keira working the red carpet in Toronto… More Here! »

Wow. Just WOW!

Keira Knightley (in Rodarte) goes for the Venetian angel look at the UK premiere of Atonement at the Odeon in Leicester Square on Tuesday in London, England. Canadian supermodel Jessica Stam wore this look on the runway.

Atonement is based on a best-selling novel by Ian McEwan, directed by Joe Wright and also stars James McAvoy.

What do you think of of Keira’s dress and headband — LOVE IT or HATE IT?

15+ pictures inside Keira’s revealing dress inside… More Here! »

Keira Knightley and co-star James McAvoy look picture perfect at the Opening Ceremony and the Atonement Premiere at the 64th Annual Venice Film Festival on Wednesday in Venice, Italy. Looking pretty in pink was Keira in modified Chanel couture Fall/WinterW 2008.

Said Keira about her role in Atonement, “When I first read the script I just completely fell in love with Cecilia, totally and utterly, partly maybe it was because of the romance, and I like a bit of romance.”

20+ pictures inside of Keira at the VFF opening ceremony…

To the right, Brazilian supermodel Raquel Zimmermann.

Who wore it best — KEIRA KNIGHTLEY or THE RUNWAY MODEL? More Here! »