Julia Roberts reveals the behind-the-scenes of ‘Notting Hill’. She wanted to give up the role. “That would be awkward”

In 1999, the premiere of Roger Michell’s cult “Notting Hill” took place, which, despite the passage of time, is still considered one of the most popular productions of this genre. The gripping plot, telling the story of a divorced bookstore owner whose heart was stolen by a famous actress, attracted huge crowds to cinemas, breaking viewership records. The success was also determined by the star cast, especially Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, who created a pair of lovers on the screen.

“Notting Hill” without Julia Roberts? The actress considered quitting the role

Recently, she gave an extensive British interview in which she talked about the beginnings of her career and the path to fame. The interview was conducted by Richard Curtis, a popular screenwriter who was also responsible for the script for the hit “Notting Hill”. It is therefore not surprising that at some point this cult comedy became the subject of their discussions. The actress openly admitted that she hesitated for a long time whether to join the cast. – Honestly, one of the hardest things I ever had to do was your movie, in which I played a movie actress. It was so uncomfortable – , adding that she was on the verge of giving up because she had no idea how to play the movie star that her character was. She didn’t feel any connection with it and was afraid that she wouldn’t be up to the challenge. – You know, we’ve talked about this many times, but I almost didn’t take the role because it just seemed… oh, it seemed so awkward. I didn’t even know how to play this character, she explained.

Julia Roberts revealed the backstage of the most famous scene from “Notting Hill”. She appeared in it in her own clothes

Ultimately, she decided to let go of all her prejudices and fears by joining the cast. However, work on the set was not a bed of roses and she constantly had to face new challenges. She was particularly irritated by characterizations that were intended to emphasize the status and prestige of her heroine. Finally, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Just before recording the famous scene in which Anna Scott says the memorable line “I’m just a girl”, she decided to change into her own clothes. She involved the driver who was responsible for her transport during the filming of the film. – I sent my driver, the wonderful Tommy, back to my apartment this morning. I said, ‘Go into my bedroom and take this, this, and this out of my closet,'” Roberts recalled.

The man didn’t even argue, he just hurriedly fulfilled her request. – These were my own flip-flops, my lovely blue velvet skirt, a T-shirt and my button-up jacket – she listed the clothing items she lent to her character. She didn’t have a specific goal for this, she just wanted others to be able to identify with the dilemmas her heroine was going through. At that moment, it never even occurred to her that this particular fragment of “Notting Hill” would become so symbolic and timeless. – The thing is, it was a really great scene. But who could have predicted that she would become so recognizable – she concluded.