Julia Roberts has revealed she almost turned down her iconic role in the hit film Notting Hill because she thought it was the ‘dumbest idea’.
The 1999 movie follows Anna Scott (played by Julia), an American actress who falls in love with a humble British bookshop owner (Hugh Grant).
The cult classic went on to gross $363 million at the box office and has become one of the most beloved rom-coms of all time.
But the actress, 58, admitted she needed some convincing before joining the cast, telling Deadline: ‘Gosh, I just remember when my agent called me about Notting Hill and I thought, “Well, that sounds like the dumbest idea of any movie I could ever do.”
‘I’m going to play the world’s biggest movie star and I do what? And then what happens? This sounds so f****** stupid.’ And then I read the script, and I was like, “Oh. This is so charming. It’s so funny. Oh, sh**”.’
Julia Roberts has revealed she almost turned down her iconic role in the hit film Notting Hill because she thought it was the ‘dumbest idea’ (pictured in 2025)
The 1999 movie follows Anna Scott (played by Julia), an American actress who falls in love with a humble British bookshop owner (Hugh Grant)
Despite being enchanted by the script, she had intended to decline the role over lunch with the film’s screenwriter Richard Curtis, as well as producer Duncan Kenworthy and the late director Roger Mitchell.
But instead the trio managed to change her mind: ‘They were just so charming and sweet and fun. And I thought, “wow, this is really going to happen”.’
The Pretty Woman star went on to add she had the best time making the film and praised Roger for its success.
Last year she spoke to the director in an interview with Vogue, where she opened up about why it was hard for her to accept the role.
‘Honestly, one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was your movie, playing a movie actress.
‘I was so uncomfortable! I almost didn’t take the part because it just seemed – oh, it just seemed so awkward. I didn’t even know how to play that person.’
Julia is married to cinematographer Danny Moder, 55, and tied the knot more than two decades ago.
The couple work hard to keep their romance private which has proved to do well for them as their relationship continues to go from strength to strength.
Despite being enchanted by the script, she had intended to decline the role over lunch with the film’s screenwriter Richard Curtis, but instead he changed her mind (pictured in 2018)
The cult classic went on to gross $363 million at the box office and has become one of the most beloved rom-coms of all time (Julia pictured in Notting Hill)
They have gone on to welcome three children together – Hazel, 2, Henry, 18, and Phinnaeus, 21.
Julia and Danny first met in 2000 on set of the movie The Mexican, where he was working as a cameraman and she was starring as Brad Pitt’s love interest, Samantha.
At the time, they were both taken by other people – she was in a romance with actor Benjamin Bratt, while Danny was married to makeup artist Vera Steimberg.
Julia later reflected on growing close to Danny while making the movie to Oprah in 2003.
‘On the set, I get pretty relaxed. These guys see me at five in the morning, when I come stumbling onto the set like, “What the hell is going on?”‘ she joked.
‘In those circumstances, you can see what a person’s really made of. Some great friendships can be formed because you see one another at your best and worst.
‘[I was] stressed-out, maxed-out, exhausted, not knowing which end is up. And you rely on each other so much. So I think that had a profound effect on our friendship.’
After she and Benjamin split in June 2001 and Danny filed for divorce from his wife that same year, they quickly started dating.
