Actors declining projects that eventually become classics is a common occurrence and even though some of them do regret passing those offers, many don’t seem to hold a grudge against it. And the same goes for Academy Award winner Julia Roberts, who once refused to star in a Tom Hank’s movie back in the 90s, which went on to become a classic and even earned an Oscar nomination.
Even though the rom-com grossed around $227 million at the box office from a budget of $21 million, making it a huge hit, the Notting Hill star didn’t have any regrets about passing the project.
Julia Roberts doesn’t regrets declining Tom Hank’s Oscar-nominated film
Considering Julia Roberts garnered immense success at a pretty young age after starring in Steel Magnolias, which earned her an Oscar nom, she was offered to star in Tom Hanks’ Sleepless in Seattle. Even though she declined the role, the actress expressed that she doesn’t have any regrets about not starring in the Academy-nominated rom-com.
The Notting Hill star explained she couldn’t see herself playing Annie Reed and expressed that Meg Ryan, who was eventually selected for the role, was perfect alongside Hanks in the movie.
Roberts further explained she doesn’t regret losing a movie, which eventually becomes a big hit, as the actress claims that the actors who are eventually cast are perfect for the role. She said,
“I’d been offered Sleepless in Seattle, but couldn’t do it. [Meg Ryan] and Tom Hanks are just such a jewel of a fit in that… I don’t consider myself really all that ambitious. When I didn’t get a part – even when I was younger and needing to pay my rent – I would think, ‘Oh, someone else got it. She’s going to be so good.’ I never felt sour grapes.”
However, declining the offer of starring in the Tom Hank-led film wouldn’t impact her career, as the actress would go on to star in Pretty Woman, which launched Roberts to the top.
Pretty Woman launched Julia Roberts to the top
Although Steel Magnolias launched Julia Roberts into stardom, it was Pretty Woman that eventually skyrocketed her career to the top. Not only did she earn her second Oscar nomination for her work in Pretty Woman, but the movie also went on to become a huge box office hit, earning $463.4 million from a budget of $14 million.
Her career also witnessed a huge spike, with Roberts garnering prominent roles in several big hits, and eventually landing an Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in 2000’s Erin Brockovich.
Looking back in hindsight, although her decision to decline the offer of starring alongside Tom Hanks might have been risky at the time, things eventually worked out for the best for Julia Roberts.