Again, Witerspoon is not Roberts.

to answer that, the last big hit she had where she was the lead was "Erin Brockovich" and that was ten years ago

LOL! Evidently execs' do not give a $hit about your facts or they would stop casting her, you're delusional if you think a movie with $40M budget and $120M boxoffice is a flop. Obviously you have no idea when in year 2005 a movie makes $120M in theaters it makes in next few years 400M for its video and TV market, haha :)

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I could'a been a contender

Valentine's Day : They promoted the movie with Julia's name. She had the biggest paycheck and other actor joined the cast because Julia was there.

Charlie Wilson's War : A political dramedy which's topic is not very populer made 65 million only Hanks and Roberts could do it together. She had very small time but promoted like she was lead.

CW : Could be better but made its money.

O12 : Bad movie but hit. Ensemble cast work.


Closer : about 120 million worldwide for a drama film costed 27 million dollar and Julia's peycheck.

Mona Lisa : Expected more but made 145 million worldwide with a 65 million budget.

O11 : She was the biggest star in that time . (still the one with most audience)

America's Sweetheart : It's a hit nearly 100 million in just states.

Mexican : Not a big hit but okey numbers for its budget. And Julia paid 20 million Brad paid 10 million so it can be an answer for who is more valuable for O11 cast stars.

Erin : HIT and a female driven drama.

I always sat, she does not have huge blockbusters like Smith or Depp so compare their drama or lower budget movies with her and you will see why she is still making the lists. (Maybe will have with Snow White later.) But she never fails really bad like Wtherspoon (How do u know, vanity fair ... , kidman : invasion golden compass ... jolie lara croft2, alexander, tourist.... ) So she is still on top.

You're so naive! (not only you but of course many or I should say at least 99% percent of the people in this world and a tiny portion of it represented by imdb board members)

Look: Do you REALLY think execs are these nice and caring people who invest their money on something that actually does not pay off? (and according to you this is happening everyday!) If those you mentioned are not hits then What's a "HIT" anyway? Can you please consider Avatar a hit PLEASE?

I mean it is quite obvious (to me and I hope it soon becomes so to you) that those with money in their hands lie all the time and like crazy to media (Not to mention these numbers, "expectations" and hits and non-hits are mostly products of mass media hallucinations and not even direct statements from top execs.) I mean I would lie too! Why shouldn't I lie about the profits my movie makes? So Julia Roberts becomes a $100M actress? So I lie and "complain" all the time that I am going down the drain, this way not only I can deprive the talent (I'm not talking about JR really) of their rights, my image of innocent, poor, destitute Hollywood exec, mostly spread by mass media crying over non-hit movies, is left pristine. Believe it or not trend of business in Hollywood is lot nastier than you and I can even imagine. I can explain more if you're willing to read. I also suggest you to read stuff by a guy called Ed Epstein.

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I could'a been a contender

Roberts' last film flopped, she hasn't had a hit since the 90s!

I can't go to jail. Look at me, I'll get raped like crazy.