Acclaimed romantic comedy scribe Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones, Love Actually) has confirmed that he tried to do a Notting Hill sequel but was unfortunately turned down by Oscar winner Julia Roberts.

Notting Hill screenwriter Richard Curtis has, in the past, reunited the cast of Love Actually for short British TV films to benefit the annual Red Nose Day charity. But nothing with Notting, and not for lack of trying.

Notting Hill is undoubtedly one of the best romantic comedies ever seen, so the idea of Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant returning to play the characters from the 1999 movie sounds like a great idea in theory.

Richard Curtis's idea for a second "Notting Hill" film was apparently shelved because of Julia Roberts. Roberts is said to have disliked his idea for a follow-up film with a divorce plot. "Julia thought that was a very poor idea," the "Love Actually ...

Days after Hugh Grant called his memorable Notting Hill character “despicable,” we've learnt that his co-star Julia Roberts dismissed the writer's pitch

I tried doing one with Notting Hill where they were going to get divorced and Julia thought that was a very poor idea.” The 68-year-old screenwriter, producer and director – who also wrote the screenplay for Four Weddings and a Funeral – said he did not think he would go back to his past films to do a full-length sequel.

Julia Roberts shot down plans for a follow-up to the beloved 1999 rom-com – saving it from joining these painful and unnecessary sequels

Director Richard Curtis has blamed Julia Roberts for shutting down a divorce-led 'Notting Hill' sequel and we couldn't be more grateful.

Exclusive: "Julia thought that was a very poor idea," Curtis said of where he wanted to take Roberts and Hugh Grant's storyline in a potential short film for charity.