> At a Glance
> – Julia Roberts dismissed Notting Hill as “the dumbest idea” when first offered the 1999 role
> – She changed her mind after reading Richard Curtis’s script and meeting the creative team
> – Filming became “a beautiful time” with “perfect” casting, including Alec Baldwin‘s cameo
> – Why it matters: Shows even A-list stars doubt projects that become beloved classics
Julia Roberts nearly walked away from what became one of her most iconic romantic comedies, revealing she initially thought Notting Hill sounded “f—— stupid.”
First Reaction: Instant Rejection
When her agent called about the part, Roberts recoiled at the premise of playing a famous actress falling for a London bookstore owner. She told Deadline in a Jan. 6 interview:
> “I’m going to play the world’s biggest movie star and I do what? And then what happens? This sounds so f—— stupid.”
Script Changed Everything
After reading Richard Curtis’s screenplay, her opinion flipped overnight.
> “I was like, ‘Oh. This is so charming. It’s so funny. Oh, s—‘”
She then lunch with:
- Richard Curtis (writer)
- Duncan Kenworthy (producer)
- Roger Michell (director)
Roberts arrived ready to pass, but left convinced: “Wow, this is really going to happen.”
On-Set Magic
Once filming began, Roberts described the experience as pure joy.
> “We had a beautiful time doing it. It was cast to perfection, all the friends, everybody.”
She praised the late Roger Michell for crafting a film that “at every turn… succeeded,” and called Alec Baldwin’s cameo “brilliant casting.”
Key Takeaways
- Roberts’ initial skepticism shows even seasoned stars question unusual premises
- Reading the script and meeting the team transformed her view
- The 1999 hit became a beloved rom-com classic despite early doubts
- Roberts values family over fame, saying acting “never consumed me”
Her near-rejection turned into cinematic history, proving first impressions aren’t always final.
