Julia Roberts' Rule on Set Scared One Director After Her Bad Experience with Steven Spielberg

Julia Roberts’ movies always make our heads spin and give us butterflies in our stomachs. Whether…or beautiful woman or Runaway Bride, The actress has repeatedly given us comforting movies to binge-watch while destroying a pint of ice cream. In addition to romantic comedies, he also made films in different genres. He is truly versatile!

Julia Roberts in Notting Hill (1999) — at Julia Roberts *Notting Hill* (1999) | Credit: Universal Pictures

In 1999, Julia Roberts played the role of Anna Scott. Notting Hill, A romantic comedy written by one and only Richard Curtis. As cute as the movie could be, it turned out that Richard Curtis was quite scared of the actor on set. So does this have something to do with him setting boundaries after a series of bad experiences?

Richard Curtis was afraid of Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts Hugh Grant in Notting Hill — Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant *Notting Hill* | Credit: Universal Pictures

Earlier this year, Julia Roberts And Richard Curtis I sat down for a chat. British Vogue. During the debate, Roberts admitted that things have changed a lot in the last 25 years.

He stated, “We have better, more fun conversations now than we did 25 years ago.” It made Curtis remember how scared he was of her back during filming Notting Hill.

He remembered the rule Roberts had made for him that wouldn’t allow him to be too friendly on set. Curtis said:

I was afraid of you then. Do you remember what you said to me in the last week of Notting Hill? Suddenly, you started coming to the set every day, even when you weren’t shooting, and you said you had to be careful in movies and not be too friendly.

Roberts, who does not remember this part of his life, asked: “From where?” Curtis’ response was:

Because you said someone will always get some use out of it. Someone suddenly asks you to meet their mother, come for dinner, etc. And you felt like you needed to focus on your work.

When asked if she still feels like she has to hold herself back to this day because people only see her as Julia Roberts, she replied:

This is a difficult topic because sometimes I feel like I have to hold back because there are so many question marks about what the field will expand into.

Other times, Roberts takes a friendly step, greeting and embracing complete strangers as warmly as possible. A perfect balance between boundaries and kindness.

Julia Roberts’ Experience with Steven Spielberg

Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell in Hook (1991) — Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell *Hook* (1991) | Credit: Amblin Entertainment

In 1991, Roberts played the role of Tinkerbell. Steven Spielberg‘s Hook. Rumors were floating around that the two personalities confronted each other on set and Roberts was even called names. “Tinker hell” because of his attitude.

When asked about this, he said that he had never heard of this nickname before. However, he admitted that just like everyone else sitting idle in their trailers for hours, they had their moments on set, too.

he said Entertainment Weekly,

No. I’ve never heard of it. But I’m a normal person. So, if I sit in my trailer doing nothing for six hours, I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ I will say. I don’t think it’s an ugly question, I don’t think it’s a mean question.

Despite the rumors, Roberts stated that he and Spielberg got along well. As EW recalls sources mentioning:friction” among them he answered boldly:

‘A source says…’ If they aren’t stupid enough to say who they are, I think they should just shut up.

Clearly either the sources were lying or Roberts’s. However, we can understand his anger at having to wait on set for 6-8 hours doing nothing, when he could have used his time for something better.

Notting Hill Available to rent/purchase on Prime Video.

Hook It can be watched on AMC.