Julia Roberts Revealed That Meg Ryan Almost Starred in ‘Steel Magnolias’

Oscar winner Julia Roberts is currently promoting her new Netflix movie, Leave the World Behind (out today!), but she’s also taking time to look back at some of her most iconic roles — and sharing that she almost didn’t get a few of them. During an appearance with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live!, Roberts shared that she almost didn’t get the role of Shelby in the beloved 1989 film Steel Magnolias, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and also starred Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, and Shirley MacLaine.

“None that I have regrets about, ’cause I think it’s all kind of destiny,” she said. “There are things that you don’t get, like Meg Ryan was supposed to be in Steel Magnolias, and she was still filming When Harry Met Sally and so I got that part.”

But those aren’t the only roles that Roberts “lucked” into, as she called the circumstances. A few of her other most memorable roles almost went to other actresses. And on the flip side, Roberts lost out on a few roles, too, like Cora in The Last of the Mohicans, which ended up going to Madeleine Stowe.

“Cate Blanchett was supposed to be in Closer, but then she got pregnant so I got that part. So, I’ve lucked into some good stuff,” she added.

During her chat with Cohen, Roberts also mentioned that she’d love to revisit one of her most memorable films: My Best Friend’s Wedding. When Cohen asked her which film she’d consider a sequel for, she mentioned the 1997 rom-com.

“I think, maybe, My Best Friend’s Wedding,” Roberts said. “Because there’s so many people in it, and to see what they’re doing and how Kimmy and Michael’s marriage is going and …”

She didn’t get to finish the thought before Cohen, in his usual chatty style, interrupted: “Who do you think Michael should’ve married in My Best Friend’s Wedding?”

“Well, I mean, of course, Jules,” Roberts said before mentioning Cameron Diaz’s character Kimberly. “But he married Kimmy.”