Julia Robertsturned down the chance to make a sequel to her $363 million ’90s rom-com due to disliking the proposed storyline. Considered one of the greatest and most bankable stars of modern Hollywood,Roberts made her breakthrough with roles in moviesincludingMystic PizzaandSteel Magnolias, before shooting to global prominence with her first leading role opposite Richard Gere inPretty Woman. The movie was a box office hit, grossing $434 million globally, and earned Roberts the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, catapulting her to superstardom.
With a glittering career,Roberts became one of the most bankable stars of the ’90s and ’00s, with notable leading roles in movies includingOcean’s Eleven,Runaway Bride, andMy Best Friend’s Wedding.She also gave an Academy Award-winning performance in thetrue story adaptationErin Brockovich. Roberts was named the highest-paid actress in the world on several occasions, and her movies have collectively grossed $3.9 billion. No stranger to sequels following her role in theOceansfranchise, Roberts had the opportunity to return for a follow-up to one of her biggest ’90s hits, but rejected the chance to return.
Roberts Turned Down A Notting Hill Sequel
The Star Didn’t Like The Story Idea
Written by Richard Curtis, directed by Roger Miller, and co-starring British actor Hugh Grant,Notting Hillreleased in May 1999 to critical and commercial success, grossing $363 million globally. Though a sequel never materialized, Curtis revealed in an interview withIndieWirethat an idea was pitched for one, butRoberts rejected it. Check out theLove Actuallydirector’s comments below when asked if he would consider future sequels to any of his films:
I don’t think so. I actually did four Red Nose Days and Comic Relief. We did those mini sequels to ‘Love Actually’ and those satisfied me. I tried doing one with ‘Notting Hill’ where they were going to get divorced and Julia [Roberts] thought that was a very poor idea.
As Curtis' comments suggest, Roberts would have needed to sign off on any sequel, as her star power would have played an essential role in getting the movie off the ground. Furthermore, the character of Anna is so integral to the story that it would feel impossible to make the movie without her involvement. Widely regarded as one of Roberts andGrant’s best movies,Notting Hillwas a success due to its smart script, fish-out-of-water narrative, and iconic British humor, and is regarded as something of a ‘90sclassic. A sequel could have cemented that legacy even further.
Our Take On A Possible Notting Hill Sequel
It Feels Unlikely, But Never Say Never
At this stage, a sequel toNotting Hillwould feel incredibly unlikely, and the ship may have sailed on that particular idea after Roberts’ rejection years ago. However, nothing can be guaranteed in Hollywood, andthe sequels to decades-old movies have proven to have genuine legs, withmovies likeTop Gun: Maverickprime examples. A sequel showing Anna and Will’s life together decades later could work very well, and Grant andRobertsare still prominent enough names that it could work. However, Curtis’s comments don’t suggest aNotting Hillsequel will ever materialize.
Notting Hill
Cast
Notting Hill is a romantic comedy featuring Hugh Grant as London bookstore owner William Thacker. The film follows Thacker’s unexpected romance with actress Anna Scott, played by Julia Roberts, as they navigate the challenges posed by their contrasting lifestyles.
