November 30, 2024: Richard Curtis, the screenwriter of the beloved romantic comedy Notting Hill, recently revealed that a potential mini-sequel to the film was rejected by Julia Roberts after she read the proposed plot. Curtis shared that the idea for the sequel was to depict Roberts’ character, Anna Scott, divorcing Hugh Grant’s character, William Thacker. Roberts, however, did not find the storyline appealing and declined to participate.
Notting Hill (1999), directed by Roger Michell, is one of the most iconic romantic comedies of all time. The film tells the story of the unexpected romance between a humble British bookseller (William) and a famous American actress (Anna), who visits his bookstore in the Notting Hill district of London. The film ends with a heartwarming, happy conclusion, where the couple marries and presumably lives happily ever after.
Curtis, known for his work on Love Actually, mentioned in an interview with IndieWire that he had considered a mini-sequel for Notting Hill, similar to his successful reunion of the Love Actually cast for charity events. The idea for the Notting Hill sequel was that Anna and William would be facing a difficult time in their relationship, leading to a divorce. However, Julia Roberts found the concept problematic and refused to take part, citing that the idea of their characters splitting was not something she could support. Curtis admitted that he had tried to make it work, but Roberts’ rejection put an end to the project.
While Curtis has worked on mini-sequels for Love Actually, which were made for the annual Red Nose Day charity event, he admitted in the interview that he is not particularly interested in full-length sequels. He noted that those mini-sequels satisfied his desire to revisit the characters and stories without the need for a longer, more conventional sequel. Curtis added, “A mini-Notting Hill reunion had been discussed. I tried doing one with Notting Hill, where they were going to get divorced, and Julia [Roberts] thought that was a very poor idea.”
In a related interview, Hugh Grant reflected on his role in Notting Hill, sharing that he finds his character, William, somewhat “despicable”. One scene that particularly stood out to Grant was when paparazzi arrive at William’s house, and Anna (Roberts) opens the door. Grant’s character lets her pass without stopping her, a decision that he now feels is awful. “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?'” Grant admitted. “And I don’t really have an answer to that — it’s how it was written. And I think he’s despicable, really.”
In addition to her iconic role in Notting Hill, Julia Roberts is celebrated for a range of standout performances in films such as Erin Brockovich, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Pretty Woman, and the Ocean’s Eleven series. Her career has made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved actresses, known for her charm, versatility, and memorable characters
While the idea of revisiting Notting Hill with a mini-sequel has been shot down, the film’s legacy remains strong. The chemistry between Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, along with the film’s heartwarming and humorous story, continues to resonate with audiences more than two decades after its release. Although the potential sequel didn’t come to fruition, the love for Notting Hill and its characters remains, and the film continues to be a staple in the romantic comedy genre.
