Julia Roberts Discloses Initial Hesitation Towards 'Notting Hill': 'It Just Felt Uncomfortable'
Julia Roberts nearly rejected her iconic role in 'Notting Hill' due to the apparent discomfort it brought, but her decision to embrace the character ultimately led to an unforgettable performance
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
It’s hard to imagine Notting Hill without Julia Roberts, but the actress came close to turning down her now-beloved role.
One of the most difficult experiences of my career was playing a movie actress in your film," Roberts, 56, revealed to screenplay writer Richard Curtis in her February 2024 British Vogue cover story, which was made available online on Thursday, January 11. "I was incredibly uncomfortable! I've mentioned this so many times, but I was on the verge of turning down the role because it just felt so...awkward. I didn't even know how to portray that character."
In the 1999 film, the story revolves around the romantic relationship between American actress Anna Scott (played by Roberts) and London bookstore owner William Thacker (portrayed by Hugh Grant). Throughout Notting Hill, Roberts was dressed in a manner befitting a movie star - a role that she openly admitted to "loathing."
When Anna delivers her iconic line to William, "I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her," Roberts' character is dressed in more casual attire, which Roberts herself had chosen from her own wardrobe. "My driver, lovely Tommy, I sent him back to my flat that morning. I said, ‘Go into my bedroom and grab this, this and this out of my closet,’” Roberts recalled. “And it was my own flip-flops and my cute little blue velvet skirt and a T-shirt and my cardigan.”
While Roberts was aware that the scene was "great," she had no clue that it would become the most frequently quoted line by fans. In another part of the interview, Curtis, 67, disclosed that Roberts "insisted" on him changing the script for a scene where her character mentions making a staggering $15 million in one of her films.
Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in “Notting Hill” Cover Images
As for why she asked to change that line to increase her character’s pay, Roberts simply said, “Because I am a feminist.”
Notting Hill achieved immense success and remains a favorite for rom-com enthusiasts, however, a sequel never materialized. The 63-year-old Grant had humorously remarked that if he were to be cast in a potential sequel, it would come with a caveat.
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"I am interested in creating a follow-up to one of my romantic comedies, delving into what occurred after the events of the original films," he shared on HBO's Twitter page in October 2020. "Ultimately, I want to debunk the misconception that they all had a blissful ending."
"I want to make a film about me, Julia, and the terrible divorce we're going through. There are high-priced lawyers, kids caught in the middle, and a lot of tears. The psychological impact will last a lifetime. That's the film I want to make."
