November 28th 2024.
It's hard to believe, but it's been 25 years since Notting Hill first graced our screens. The iconic film, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, captured the hearts of millions with its charming storyline and lovable characters. But did you know that there was almost a sequel to this beloved rom-com? Thankfully, Julia Roberts put a stop to it.
In a recent interview, Richard Curtis, the director of Notting Hill, was asked if he would ever consider revisiting any of his famous movies for a sequel or reboot. He revealed that there was actually a plan for a follow-up to the romantic comedy, but it was quickly shut down by Julia Roberts herself. "I don't think so," Richard stated. "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 thought that was a very poor idea."
Julia Roberts, who played the role of Hollywood actress Anna Scott, recently reflected on her experience filming Notting Hill. During a chat with British Vogue alongside Richard Curtis, she shared that she almost turned down the role because she found the character to be "so uncomfortable" to play. "Honestly, one of the hardest things I've ever had to do was your movie, playing a movie actress," Julia admitted. "I was so uncomfortable. I mean, we've talked about this so many times, but 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."
Despite her initial reservations, Notting Hill went on to become an instant classic, winning the audience-voted film of the year at the Baftas in 2000. Both Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, who played bumbling bookshop owner William Thacker, were also nominated for their performances at the Golden Globes.
In a recent interview, Hugh Grant opened up about his take on his character, William Thacker, 25 years on. He didn't hold back, describing his character as "despicable". "Whenever I'm flicking the channels at home after a few drinks and this comes up, I just think, 'Why doesn't my character have any balls?'" Hugh stated. "There's a scene in this film where she's [Anna] in my house, and the paps come to the front door and ring the bell. I think I just let her go past me and open the door. That's awful. I've never had a girlfriend - or indeed now wife - who hasn't said, 'Why the hell didn't you stop her? What's wrong with you?' And I don't really have an answer to that. It's how it was written. And I think he's despicable, really."
Despite his mixed feelings about his character, Hugh also had nothing but praise for his co-star, Julia Roberts. "Probably all the time with Julia, as with any brilliant actress, you're just thinking, 'Oh Christ, they're really good. I'm not going to be as good as her,'" he admitted. "She's great at emoting, and she's got that quality where it looks like her skin is wafer thin. You can sort of see her soul."
It's safe to say that Notting Hill left a lasting impression on both its stars and its audience. And while we may never get a sequel, we can always revisit the magic of the original by popping in a DVD and reliving the charming love story of Anna Scott and William Thacker. After all, as Hugh Grant himself said, "She's great at emoting."
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