'Notting Hill' writer reveals why Julia Roberts felt film sequel was 'very poor idea'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Screenwriter Richard Curtis revealed the scrapped sequel plan for the 1999 romantic classic 'Notting Hill' after Julia Roberts turned down the idea.

Curtis revealed that Roberts, who portrayed the A-list actress character Anna Scott, vetoed the proposed plotline he planned as a "mini-sequel" as part of Red Nose Day in 2017.

“I tried doing one with 'Notting Hill' where they were going to get divorced, and Julia thought that was a very poor idea,” Curtis recently told IndieWire.

Hugh Grant calls his 'Notting Hill' character 'despicable'

Hugh Grant, who portrayed the charming yet timid London bookstore owner William Thacker, recently offered a candid critique of his character in the film.

In a video interview with Vanity Fair, Grant, 64, confessed that he finds William lacking assertiveness.

“Whenever I'm flicking the channels at home after a few drinks and this comes up, I just think, 'Why doesn't my character have any balls?’” he remarked.

Grant referenced a specific scene where William passively allows Anna to answer the door to the paparazzi, a moment he now regrets.

“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?’” added Grant, labeling William “despicable” for his inaction.

Richard Curtis on doing sequels for his films

Richard Curtis, whose credits also include 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'Bridget Jones's Diary', and 'Love Actually', weighed in on whether he would want to do sequels of his films.

“I don’t think so. I actually did four Red Nose Days and Comic Relief. We did those mini sequels to ‘Love Actually’ and those satisfied me,” said the screenwriter.

Speaking about taking up new challenges, Curtis said, "I think oddly enough I’m keen at this stage in my career of doing new things as much as I can."

“That’s why it was great doing an animated film. I’ve made, I think, 17 films. It’s quite hard for the 18th to be as different as this one is,” he added.

Richard Curtis honored for humanitarian contributions

Richard Curtis was recently awarded the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 15th Governors Awards in Los Angeles, California.

Grant, presenting the award, reminisced about their time working together, noting Curtis’ unique directorial style, according to People.

“You’d think, given that most of his films were about love, that he would have been gentle and soft. But you’d be quite wrong,” joked Grant who recounted humorous moments on set.

Among his favorite memories are Curtis’ unconventional notes like, “And now do do a funny one,” and “Don’t worry, we can cut around you.”