Why Julia Roberts turned down Notting Hill charity sequel: ‘Very poor’

Julia Roberts turned down a Notting Hill charity reunion because she thought the idea was “very poor”.

Richard Curtis, who wrote the 1999 romantic comedy, had planned to make a “mini-sequel” for his charity Comic Relief’s annual Red Nose Day fundraiser following the success of his Love Actually follow-ups, but the 57-year-old actress rejected the proposal as his planned plot would see her character Anna Scott divorced from Hugh Grant’s William Thacker.

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

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The 68-year-old screenwriter, producer and director — who also wrote the screenplay for Four Weddings and a Funeral — said he does not think he would go back to his past films to do a full length sequel.

He added: “I actually did four Red Nose Days and Comic Relief.

“We did those mini sequels to Love Actually and those satisfied me.”

Julia Roberts turned down a chance to reprise her role for a 'mini' Notting Hill reboot. Credit: AAP

Meanwhile, Curtis is keen to take on new challenges in his successful career so had a great time writing new animated movie That Christmas.

He 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.”

Still on the filmmaker’s wish list is getting to work on a James Bond film, and he joked he’d bring “true love” to the spy franchise.

He said: “I know I wouldn’t be asked.

“I have this joke with (director) Paul Greengrass. Whenever he finishes a movie, I say, ‘Do you want me to do a rom-com pass on the next Bond film? A little bit more kissing, a little bit more family stuff.’

“Maybe I could bring true love to the Bond franchise, but I don’t think I’ll be asked.”