Would Julia Roberts Star in a Remake of ‘Pretty Woman’?
Synopsis
In a recent interview, Julia Roberts reflects on her iconic role in 'Pretty Woman' and whether she could portray it in the current societal landscape. With evolving cultural standards, Roberts admits that her perspective on innocence and character complexity has changed significantly. Discover her thoughts on the film's legacy and her previous works.
Key Takeaways
Julia Roberts reflects on her iconic role in 'Pretty Woman'.
She believes it's now impossible to portray Vivian Ward's innocence.
Cultural shifts have changed audience perceptions of the film.
Roberts acknowledges the evolution of storytelling in cinema.
She candidly shares her initial thoughts on 'Notting Hill'
Los Angeles, Jan 8 (NationPress) - Renowned Hollywood actress Julia Roberts has opened up about her thoughts on starring in a modern remake of ‘Pretty Woman’.
The 58-year-old performer, who originally portrayed the character Vivian Ward, a sex worker, in the 1990 romantic comedy, believes it would be “impossible” for her to take on such a role today due to the evolving perspectives of society, as reported by Female First UK.
She stated in an interview with Deadline, “Oh, it’s impossible. I have too many years of the weight of the world inside of me now that I wouldn’t be able to kind of levitate in a movie like that, right? I mean, not weight of the world, like, negative, but just all the things that we learn, all the things we put in our pockets along the lane. It would be impossible to play someone who was really innocent, in a way. I mean, it’s a funny thing to say about a hooker, but I do think that there was an innocence to her, kind of... I guess it’s just being young”.
According to Female First UK, perceptions of ‘Pretty Woman’, which features a romance between Julia's character and the wealthy corporate raider Edward Lewis (played by Richard Gere), have evolved over the years, and Roberts acknowledges why some find the film uncomfortable today.
The ‘Erin Brockovich’ star elaborated, “Well, I think anytime you have a huge passage of time and cultural shifts. Think about all the movies and plays of the '20s and '30s and '40s, you would look at them now and just be like, 'How are people saying these things, doing these things?’”
She continued, “I think these are the choices that we make as artists, as art appreciators and people that love to read books and go to the theatre and yeah, times change, people change, ideas change”.
Roberts, who also starred alongside Hugh Grant in the 1999 film ‘Notting Hill’, where she plays a famous Hollywood actress who falls for a London bookshop owner, admitted that she thought the concept was “stupid” when first approached for the role.
Point of View
I find Julia Roberts' reflections on her past roles particularly insightful. Her acknowledgment of societal change speaks to a broader cultural dialogue about representation and storytelling in film. It’s essential for artists to adapt and evolve, and Roberts exemplifies this awareness beautifully.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Julia Roberts think she can't play Vivian Ward now?
Julia Roberts believes that her life experiences have added weight that would prevent her from embodying the innocence of her character, Vivian Ward, as she did in the original film.
What cultural shifts does Roberts refer to?
Roberts references how societal attitudes have changed over time, affecting the way audiences perceive films like 'Pretty Woman' today.
How does Roberts feel about her role in 'Notting Hill'?
She initially thought the premise of 'Notting Hill' was 'stupid,' but has since embraced the film and its themes.
