Richard Curtis recently revealed that Julia Roberts rejected his idea for a sequel to the beloved romantic comedy "Notting Hill" due to its divorce plot.

The proposed sequel centered on the characters William Thacker and Anna Scott facing a breakup, a concept Roberts deemed unworthy of the original story.

In the script, Anna Scott, played by Roberts, would divorce William Thacker, portrayed by Hugh Grant, which Roberts felt was unjust to their characters' happy ending.

Fans of the original film must accept that there will be no return of Anna and William, preserving the film's iconic conclusion.

Curtis is currently focused on new projects, including his first animated film, "That Christmas," which is set to premiere on Netflix on December 4, 2024.

This animated film will weave together stories about love, loneliness, family, friends, and a significant mistake made by Santa Claus.

Curtis has expressed a general disinterest in creating full-length sequels, feeling satisfied with the short films he made for charity projects like Red Nose Day.

Hugh Grant has also shown interest in exploring the aftermath of "Notting Hill," suggesting a messy divorce narrative involving children and lawyers.

Grant has criticized his character's lack of assertiveness in the original film, calling him 'despicable' for failing to protect Anna from the downsides of fame.

Despite mixed feelings from the cast, "Notting Hill" was a commercial success, grossing over $360 million globally since its release in 1999.

The original film, which premiered on Memorial Day weekend in 1999, was a critical success, earning nominations from prestigious awards and winning the Audience Award for Most Popular Film.

Curtis was recently honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 15th Governors Awards, reflecting his contributions to film and charity.