Julia Roberts: Hollywood Icon Navigates New Thrillers and AI Legal Battles
PARIS, 07 February 2026 – As the legendary romantic comedy Pretty Woman returns to French television screens this Saturday, Julia Roberts continues to dominate headlines through a blend of high-stakes cinema projects and a landmark legal dispute involving her iconic French voice in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
French Voice Actors Launch Legal Action Against AI
In a significant move for the French film industry, eight prominent dubbing artists—including the long-standing French voice of Julia Roberts—have issued formal notices to two American AI companies. The actors accuse the firms of cloning and monetising their vocal identities without consent. This “vocal theft” has sparked a wider debate in France regarding the protection of artistic property, with the performers demanding the immediate cessation of unauthorised voice synthesis that mimics their distinct intonations used for stars like Roberts, Richard Gere, and Harrison Ford.
Upcoming Projects: From ‘After the Hunt’ to ‘Ocean’s Fourteen’
Roberts, 58, is currently preparing for a series of major cinematic releases. She is set to star in Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt, portraying Alma Imhoff, a college professor caught in the crosshairs of a sexual assault scandal. The production has already generated significant buzz for its “post-MeToo” narrative approach. Furthermore, Roberts has confirmed she has reviewed the script for the highly anticipated Ocean’s Fourteen, describing the screenplay as a worthy successor to the previous heist instalments.
Looking further ahead, the actress is slated to lead the 2027 thriller Panic Carefully, where she will appear alongside Elizabeth Olsen and Eddie Redmayne. This follows her recent work narrating the audiobook for Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, alongside Riley Keough.
Key Career Milestones and Filmography
| Year | Film Title | Role / Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Mystic Pizza | Breakthrough youth-oriented role. |
| 1990 | Pretty Woman | Solidified global “Leading Lady” status. |
| 1999 | Notting Hill | Portrayed Anna Scott; recently revealed she nearly rejected the role. |
| 2000 | Erin Brockovich | Won Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for Best Actress. |
| 2023 | Leave the World Behind | Psychological thriller for Netflix. |
| 2025/26 | After the Hunt | Collaborating with director Luca Guadagnino. |
The ‘Notting Hill’ Legacy in 2026
While Roberts recently admitted she initially found the script for Notting Hill “dismissible” before it became a classic, the film’s influence remains potent. Netflix has recently greenlit a new romantic comedy inspired by the 1999 hit, set to star K-pop sensation LISA. While Roberts is not directly involved in the new production, the project underscores the enduring appeal of the “superstar meets ordinary person” trope she helped define.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Julia Roberts in the new Ocean’s Fourteen?
Yes, Julia Roberts has confirmed she has read the script for the upcoming sequel and expressed her excitement regarding the quality of the writing.
Why are French voice actors suing AI companies?
The French voices of stars like Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are taking legal action against companies that have allegedly cloned their voices without permission to create AI-generated content.
What is Julia Roberts’ next movie?
Her next major appearance is in After the Hunt, directed by Luca Guadagnino, followed by the thriller Panic Carefully scheduled for 2027.