Why You Don’t See Julia Roberts In Movies That Much Anymore

For many years, Julia Roberts has enchanted viewers since her debut on the silver screen in the 1988 film “Mystic Pizza,” playing the character Daisy who served up both pizza and romantic drama. Her impact on romantic comedies continued to expand with unforgettable roles in movies such as “Pretty Woman,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” and “Notting Hill.” These films were released in the 1990s, solidifying Roberts as a mainstay of the rom-com genre during a time when it was particularly popular in cinema.

In the early 21st century, the most financially successful actress in romantic comedies of all time experienced further triumph when she was awarded the Best Actress Oscar in 2001 for her role in “Erin Brockovich,” a movie based on a true story about a woman fighting for a town affected by water contamination. Although her performances garnered rave reviews, the frequency of her film releases has decreased over time. However, Roberts continues to make occasional appearances, such as reteaming with George Clooney in the 2022 romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise.” Yet, she is no longer a consistent figure in cinema. Here’s why you don’t see Roberts starring in as many films as before:

She has been focusing on her family

Working on a movie typically involves a lengthy filming period that can necessitate time spent away from one’s family. It has been reported by US Weekly that this is the reason behind Julia Roberts’ decision to decline certain projects. As stated, she wants to minimize the amount of time she spends apart from her loved ones due to extensive periods of absence. She shares her life with husband Danny Moder and together they have three children: twins Hazel and Phinnaeus born in November 2004, and their son Henry who was born in June 2007.

In her conversation with British Vogue, Julia Roberts shared that her career had already flourished before she started her family, implying that she didn’t have to forgo work or home life. She expressed deep gratitude for the ability to step away from her career and focus on her family during those years, as she had been working for 18 years prior. Her family life has long been in the public eye, with instances like the Daily Mail spotting her at her children’s soccer game in Los Angeles in 2016. Today, her children have grown up and Roberts ensures their well-being by keeping in touch regularly. The family maintains open communication even when they are in different time zones.

She starred in some movies that fell flat

There are some movies that aren’t blockbusters, and at one point, several films featuring Julia Roberts didn’t garner the acclaim many thought they would. This slump started with “Duplicity” in 2009. In this film, Roberts portrayed Claire Stenwick, a corporate spy on the hunt for a valuable formula that is also being pursued by Ray Koval (Clive Owen), another corporate spy with whom she shares a lengthy history. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a score of 37% from viewers, and it received mixed feedback from critics.

2012 saw Julia Roberts playing an evil queen opposite Lily Collins’ Snow White in the film “Mirror Mirror.” Despite this being a retelling of a classic fairy tale, the movie didn’t quite live up to its fairy-tale ideals. Viewers on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a rating of 45%, and critics were largely unimpressed with it. Looper deemed it mediocre when ranking Julia Roberts’ films from worst to best.

In 2016, Roberts ventured into the realm of drama and thrillers with the movie “Money Monster,” where he portrayed producer Patty Fenn. This film focuses on Lee Gates, a Wall Street expert turned TV host (played by George Clooney), who is taken hostage during a live broadcast. However, the partnership between Clooney and Roberts did not yield the expected acclaim, as the story was criticized for its ambiguous perspective, with The New Yorker noting it lacks a “definite viewpoint.

She has been working on TV projects

Julia Roberts’ career in the 21st century has seen a significant focus on television roles, having started with limited appearances on TV in her early years and even guest-starring on “Friends.” An unforeseen prank by Matthew Perry led to this opportunity. After a prolonged period of film work, she has now made efforts to expand her small screen portfolio. In 2014, Roberts portrayed Dr. Emma Brookner in the HBO movie “The Normal Heart,” which delves into the HIV-AIDS crisis during the early ’80s. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

In 2018, Meryl Streep portrayed Heidi Bergman, a caseworker, in Amazon Prime’s version of the podcast “Homecoming.” Despite being featured exclusively in Season 1 of this anthology series, her character was mysteriously probed regarding a covert government facility called the Homecoming Transitional Support Center. Remarkably, she earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

In “Gaslit,” a miniseries on Starz, she additionally took on the role of Martha Mitchell, the Watergate whistleblower. Roberts shared with SiriusXM that she was drawn to the series due to its rich ensemble and the abundance of captivating stories it presents. She was particularly fascinated by the Mitchell family, as she was previously unaware of Martha Mitchell’s tale. The opportunity to breathe life into this remarkable story was highly appealing to her.

She wants to travel

Many people remember Julia Roberts playing Liz Gilbert in the 2010 romantic comedy “Eat Pray Love,” a film adaptation of a true story about Gilbert’s world travels. Interestingly, Roberts herself enjoys traveling, as reported by a source who spoke to US Weekly. Of course, her acting career has required her to travel extensively. As Oprah Winfrey mentioned, Roberts brought her husband Danny Moder and their three children with her during the filming in Italy, India, and Bali for “Eat Pray Love.” Additionally, Roberts visited Mongolia for PBS’s “Nature Horses” Season 19, Episode 1, titled “Wild Horses of Mongolia with Julia Roberts,” which aired in 2000.

Julia Roberts is reportedly eager to devote more time to traveling with her husband and companions now that her children have grown up. A different source revealed to the publication that Roberts and her partner, Danny Moder, enjoy change and are happier savoring simple joys. It’s stated that Moder’s appreciation for culture and nature has had a significant, positive impact on their relationship. Previously, Roberts owned a mansion in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, as reported by House Digest. As per Architectural Digest, she currently owns a 32-acre ranch in Taos, New Mexico.

She has become a staple of Lancôme advertisements

Lancome’s products exude a sense of elegance and luxury, making it fitting for a company promoting premium items to partner with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Julia Roberts took on the role as Lancome’s spokesperson in 2009, as reported by Women’s Wear Daily. Youcef Nabi, President of Lancome International, stated that “Julia Roberts’ remarkable personality and career make her an iconic woman of her era… We believe she will represent the brand in the most exquisite manner possible.

The advertisements featuring Roberts have gained significant recognition, often depicting her in elegant gowns adorned with diamonds at grand events and stunning locales. In August 2024, People disclosed the specifics of the campaign for the company’s new fragrance commercial. This time, Roberts is seen wearing a luxurious pink ball gown before changing into a suit. The Lancôme advertisement titled “Happiness Begins with You” resembles a scene from one of her romantic comedies as she comically folds her large gown and hops into an elevator, narrowly escaping a big party she was expected to attend. She expressed her feelings when she began working as the company’s representative in 2010 to Women’s Wear Daily, saying, “At 42 with three kids and being a working mom, it’s a fantastic moment to be asked to do this and have the opportunity to do it.

She is helping to protect the planet

When Julia Roberts isn’t busy making blockbuster films, she’s actively seeking means to foster sustainability and contribute to the wellbeing of our planet. As reported by CNN, she serves as the global ambassador for Chopard, a jewelry brand that innovatively incorporates recycled metals into its luxury timepieces and strictly uses gold from ethically sourced or verified mines, alongside other eco-friendly practices. Speaking about this, she stated, “Given the current state of our world, sustainability is not just an option, it’s essential. It’s truly remarkable, inspiring, and forward-thinking for a brand like Chopard to champion this concept of sustainability in such a creative manner.

In addition to her advocacy work, Roberts is featured in Conservation International’s “Nature is Speaking” film series, portraying Mother Nature. This segment emphasizes the necessity of conservation. Off-camera, Roberts demonstrates sustainability by composting at home. Alongside author Sophie Uliano, she discussed this method with Oprah. Uliano mentioned that a variety of food leftovers can transform into valuable garden nutrients. During an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Roberts stated, “Whatever we discard as trash ultimately has to go somewhere. It all needs a destination, and even if you’re unaware of where it ends up, that doesn’t mean it’s being disposed of responsibly.

She advocates for human rights

When Julia Roberts isn’t championing sustainability, she’s speaking up for human rights. Back in 2002, she appeared before the House Appropriations subcommittee responsible for public health funding, discussing a rare neurological condition known as Rett syndrome, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. This was a tribute to a 10-year-old girl who had tragically passed away due to this disorder. According to Mayo Clinic, Rett syndrome impacts motor skills and other symptoms. The Los Angeles Times reported that Roberts was urging for research and requested $15.5 million from Congress to support these efforts.

2024 saw Roberts deliver a speech at a rally in Georgia advocating for reproductive freedom, a cause that backed Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. As recorded by Fox 5 Atlanta, she shared during her address that her parents were activists, having connections with prominent civil rights leaders. According to CNN’s report, the writing and acting workshop they ran in Atlanta was frequented by Martin Luther King Jr.’s children. Furthermore, as detailed by CNN, Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King covered Roberts’ birth expenses.

She is working behind the camera

Julia Roberts has been involved in filmmaking since the late 1990s, starting with the movie “Stepmom.” In this film, Roberts portrays Isabel Kelly, who shares custody of Jackie Harrison’s (Susan Sarandon) children with her ex-husband, played by Ed Harris. The story follows how Isabel and Jackie learn to live together as Jackie battles terminal lymphoma. More recently, Roberts has formed a production company called Red Om Films in partnership with Lisa Gillan and Marisa Yeres Gill.

Via the company, Roberts was responsible for creating movie versions based on the “American Girl” book series, starting with the 2004 debut of “Samantha: An American Girl Holiday.” Subsequently, four more films about other beloved “American Girl” characters emerged, one of which starred Abigail Breslin in “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.” As reported by People and Entertainment Tonight, Roberts mentioned that her family played a role in her choice to produce the film. She explained, “With my children, the kind of merchandise and media they are exposed to for consumption and influence, this is something we believe positively impacts and educates them in an engaging manner.

Some of my latest ventures encompass projects such as “Leave the World Behind” penned and helmed by Sam Esmail, “Gaslit”, and “Ticket to Paradise” that boasts a cast of familiar favorites. As per Variety, her production company is also handling the adaptation of the book “Little Bee,” centered around the bond between a Nigerian refugee and a British editor. Additionally, she’s involved in the creation and performance of the suspenseful drama “Panic Carefully,” starring Elizabeth Olsen, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

She has used her talents to narrate Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir

Throughout her career, Julia Roberts has accumulated various voiceover roles, such as playing Charlotte in the live-action “Charlotte’s Web” (2006), Smurfwillow in “Smurfs: The Lost Village” (2017), and more recently, she added audiobook narrator to her repertoire in 2024.

In October 2024, the audiobook version of Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir, “From Here to the Great Unknown,” was released. As reported by People, Lisa Marie’s daughter, Riley Keough, narrated the parts written by her, while actress Dakota Roberts read the passages penned by Elvis Presley’s daughter. Tragically, Lisa Marie passed away in January 2023 due to a small bowel obstruction, according to NPR. Prior to her passing, Riley completed the book for her mother. In an interview with People, Dakota expressed her admiration for Lisa Marie’s memoir, stating that it was a great honor to bring life to her extraordinary and captivating story. Riley was pleased to have Dakota on board the project, expressing her belief that there was no one more fitting to help share Lisa Marie’s tale with the world.

She is very selective about her projects

Securing a top-tier actor like Roberts for a movie is a major success for any director or production company. However, Roberts is known for her discerning taste in projects. She shared with Harper’s Bazaar that her judgment is crucial when deciding on scripts, revealing a time in her mid-twenties when she halted her work due to disliking the scripts presented. “Recall your purpose,” she advised, emphasizing that she doesn’t actively search for projects. Instead, she waits for suitable opportunities to present themselves, making the process enjoyable and organic. A script must meet a high standard for her to commit, almost unfairly so.

Julia Roberts, in films such as “Pretty Woman”, may feature scenes where her shoulders are exposed in a bathtub, but she has never been involved in any nude scenes. In an interview with Richard Curtis for British Vogue, she expressed that she refrains from doing nudity and considers the choices she makes regarding what she won’t do as part of her identity and her career, which she refers to as “G-rated.” She explained, “I don’t remove my clothes in a movie or expose myself physically in ways I choose not to – this is a decision I make for myself.” (This statement does not intend to judge others’ decisions.)

She wants to work on some sequels but not others

In the year 1999, Julia Roberts found herself as a young woman, standing before a man, expressing her affection in the popular romantic comedy “Notting Hill,” directed by Richard Curtis. The movie showcased an exceptional ensemble cast and brought significant financial success to Roberts. Yet, the possibility of delving deeper into the love story between Anna Scott and William Thacker (portrayed by Hugh Grant) was not on Roberts’ agenda. In a conversation with IndieWire, Curtis shared his concept for a mini-sequel that depicted their impending divorce. This sequel was intended as part of Red Nose Day, an event aimed at amassing funds to eradicate child poverty and featuring numerous celebrities. When the cast of “Love Actually” reunited for the mini-sequel “Red Nose Day: Actual Love” in 2017, Curtis attracted widespread attention. However, according to Curtis, Roberts declined participating due to her dissatisfaction with his proposed script idea.

One romantic comedy film that she yearns to rewatch is “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” where Julianne Porter attempts to derail her best friend, Michael O-Neal (Dermot Mulroney), from marrying his fiancée Kimberly Wallace (Cameron Diaz). On Watch What Happens Live, she expressed, “I want to rewatch it to catch up with the various characters and see how Kimmy and Michael’s relationship is unfolding.” It remains uncertain if Julianne’s actions will be showcased on the big screen again in the future.

2025-01-22 16:00