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At the peak of her career, Julia Roberts was known not only for her charismatic acting but also for her complicated relationships with industry figures. One of the most notable controversies occurred during the filming of Steven Spielberg’s 1991 filmHook, where tensions escalated between Roberts and the acclaimed director.
The conflict, however, was not the only such incident, as the actress also had a contentious relationship with Edward Zwick, the producer ofShakespeare in Love. Zwick has since reflected on their fallout, admitting that their professional disagreements led to a lasting estrangement.
Producer Revealed the Casting Drama ofShakespeare in Love
John Madden’s 1998 filmShakespeare in Lovewas a huge hit,earning$289 million at the box office and seven Oscars, including for Best Actress for Gwyneth Paltrow, who took on the role of Viola de Lesseps in the movie.
However, before Paltrow’s triumph,Julia Robertswas initially cast in the Oscar-winning role. According to producer Edward Zwick, Universal Pictures agreed to fund the film on the condition that Roberts would star in the movie.
While the process initially went smoothly, complications arose during the casting of William Shakespeare. In his essay forAir Mail,the producer revealed that he had arranged a chemistry read for Roberts with potential actors in London.
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However, thePretty Womanstar was insistent on having Daniel Day-Lewis join the cast. He recalled how the actress tried to convince him to have the actor in the movie.
He’s brilliant — he’s handsome and intense. And so funny! — Did you see his performance in ‘A Room with a View?’ He’s done Shakespeare, too. Don’t you think he’d be perfect?…I can get him to do it.
Despite Day-Lewis’s disinterest due to his commitment toIn the Name of the Father, Roberts persistently lobbied for him, even suggesting that Zwick cancel the chemistry read, convinced that Day-Lewis was the ideal choice for the role.
How Julia Roberts’ Sudden Exit Shook the Production ofShakespeare in Love
While Edward Zwick’s fallout with Julia Roberts never escalated to the level ofconflict with Steven Spielberg, it still significantly impacted the production ofShakespeare in Love.
In his essay, he revealed that the actress had urged him to cancel the casting process, claiming thatDaniel Day-Lewishad accepted the role. However, when Zwick met with the actor, he clarified his existing commitments and priorities.
Despite Roberts’ reservations, he proceeded with chemistry reads for alternative actors like Ralph Fiennes and Paul McGann. Zwick shared that he sensed that Roberts seemed uncomfortable and insecure, and was shocked to learn that she had abruptly returned to the U.S. and decided to leave the film.
Her departure created uncertainty, as Roberts was a key factor in Universal’s decision to fund the project. Despite that Zwick managed to persuade the studio, which had already invested $6 million, to continue with the film.
He did not, however, reach out to the actress again.“I’ve never spoken to Julia again,”he shared, noting that he bears no ill will towards her and acknowledged their mutual youth and inexperience at the time.
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The film eventually found a new home at Miramax Films, with Gwyneth Paltrow landing the role alongside, Joseph Fiennes. The film won seven Oscars with Paltrow earning her first ever Oscar for Best Actress.
Shakespeare in Loveis available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
