Julia Roberts was originally the lead in 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love.”
The film’s producer Ed Zwick recently wrote an essay for online publication Air Mail, where he discussed in part why Roberts’ role (which Gwyneth Paltrow eventually won an Oscar for) was eventually not hers.
“The mere possibility of having ‘Pretty Woman’ wearing a corseted gown got the studio excited enough to cough up the dough,” Zwick wrote.
He then said Roberts arrived in London for chemistry reads with actors vying for the role of William Shakespeare. Zwick contends Roberts “found fault with all of them.”
Related
Roberts supposedly wanted Daniel Day Lewis for the role but he was already committed to another film. Roberts then read lines with Ralph Fiennes, which Zwick called a “disaster.” The role eventually went to his brother Jospeh.
“Even as Ralph did his best to elicit the famous smile, Julia barely acknowledged him,” the producer wrote. “I’m not suggesting she was deliberately sabotaging, but it was a disaster nonetheless.”
Among the other actors Roberts reportedly was not keen on included – Hugh Grant, Rupert Graves, Colin Firth, Sean Bean, and Jeremy Northam.
Roberts eventually left the project and Zwick said he has not spoken to her since.
Related
“I bear her no ill will,” he said of Roberts.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign up and follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram