Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington set to reunite for new Netflix film… 27 years after they starred in The Pelican Brief together
They worked together on the political thriller The Pelican Brief back in 1993.
Now, Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington are set to work together once again, as they reunite 27 years later for a new movie coming to Netflix.
The pair will star and produce in an adaptation of the upcoming novel Leave the World Behind, by Rumaan Alam, and the film will be directed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail.
They’re back! Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington (pictured above in 2007) are set to reunite for a new Netflix movie… 27 years after The Pelican Brief
Esmail also created the Amazon series Homecoming which starred Roberts in the lead for series one, but has now been taken over by Janelle Monáe.
Deadline reports that there was a bidding war for the project, with streaming giant Netflix beating out the likes of Apple TV and MGM.
Both Roberts and Washington are expected to be producers on the project respectively, Roberts through her Red Om Films production company, and Washington through Esmail Corp.
Old friends: The pair worked together on the political thriller The Pelican Brief back in 1993
The drama is said to be a timely subject as it centers around strange events in the world, following a blackout in a nearby city.
Internet, television and radio devices all stop working, and the characters have no way of finding out what is going on in the world.
Roberts is said to be playing the mother of a family renting a house while on vacation when they strange events happen, while Washington will play the owner of the house.
Firm friends: The pair were seen enjoying a PDA at the AFI Life Achievement Awards last June
Meanwhile, the pair reunited last year when Washington was honored with the American Film Institute’s lifetime achievement award in Los Angeles.
PEOPLE Magazine reports that Roberts sat next to Washington’s longtime wife Pauletta during the ceremony and gave a touching tribute to the actor.
‘I met Denzel Washington over half of my life ago,’ Roberts reportedly said in her speech. ‘Working with Denzel, I had really never seen anything like it, honestly. It was like working as I imagined, with wheels. People screaming, women fainting in the street. I am amazed that I was never trampled in the crowds.’
She added: ‘But what I remember so well as meeting Pauletta and all your kids and seeing how you valued your family, your home life above all else.
‘I know it takes a lot of hard work but you and Pauletta made it look like a dream to me, and now I live my life with those same values. The two of you inspired me then and continue to inspire me to this day.’