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    Wendy Williams speaks out on reports Julia Roberts was once recommended to play Harriet Tubman: ‘Are you serious?’

    Todd Garrin
    November 20, 2019

    If there were a list of actresses who would be on a shortlist to play historical figure Harriet Tubman, most would guess that Julia Roberts wouldn’t be on it — but she reportedly almost was.

    Gregory Allen Howard, screenwriter of the new movie Harriet, revealed in a Focus Features Q&A that when he first pitched the film 25 years ago, an executive suggested Roberts play Tubman.

    When it was pointed out that it might not be great to have a white actress play an African American hero, he was told the executive responded, “It was so long ago. No one is going to know the difference.”

    Talk show host Wendy Williams weighed in on the news, asking, “Are you serious?”

    Williams also said, “It’s bad enough that we don’t get enough black history taught to our children in present day, but I think that the one person they definitely know is Harriet Tubman.”

    Twitter exploded with reactions to Howard’s revelation, with many writing that they found the idea as absurd as it sounds:

    Julia Roberts ??? 😂😂😂😂😂 they get crazier every day

    — Pug Zilla (@Pug_Zilla) November 20, 2019

    Like I love Julia Roberts, but nothing about her makes her fit for that role. There’s plenty of woc who would do a fantastic job

    — 😈 (@ughimokay) November 20, 2019

    I love Julia Roberts...BUT... it’s a NO on this one!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️

    — Deanna Genung (@deannagenung) November 20, 2019

    But others said it could be interesting to see Roberts in the role, or at the very least, entertaining:

    Am I the only one who thinks seeing Julia Roberts playing Harriet Tubman would be a hoot?

    — Adam Baran (@ABaran999) November 20, 2019

    I wish I was a good enough person to say I wouldnt pay to see Julia Roberts as Harriet Tubman

    — Sam Ike (@TheSamIke) November 20, 2019

    hollywood is full of idiots omg

    lowkey tho i wanna see Julia roberts as harriet tubman. the resulting drama would be so funny.

    — citizen734 (@citizen734) November 20, 2019

    Chrissy Teigen says people upset over updated “Baby, It's Cold Outside' should 'get over it:”

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