The celeb encounter we didn’t know we needed...until now.
James Marsden broke the news that Julia Roberts (yes, the Julia Roberts) helped him land the role of the 2007 film Hairspray. He revealed the surprising detail in a virtual interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
"That role came about–I was sitting down with Adam Shankman, the director, and [producers] Craig Zadan and Neil Meron at the time in an empty restaurant off-Broadway in New York City and we were just talking about, you know, the potential of me playing Corny Collins," he told DeGeneres. "And in the middle of the interview—it was an interview because I was trying to get the job—I had a tap on my shoulder and it was Julia Roberts."
The Westworld actor continued, "And she was standing there and she said, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. But, I just wanted to tell you that you’re in my favorite movie, The Notebook, and I love what you do in the film. And congratulations on it. Nice to meet you." Glad to see the queen of romcoms is up-to-date with the modern classics.
He finished the story thanking the Homecoming actress, "And then Adam Shankman turns to me and he goes, ‘If you didn't have the job already, I think that sort of seals it,’" he said. "So, I have Julia Roberts to thank for that. She was the one who cemented me getting cast in that role."
Honestly, we can’t think of a better person to play the role. And now, all we can think about is Marsden and Roberts being cast together in an upcoming romcom hit.
