Julia Roberts almost got cast in the lead role of the Harriet Tubman bio-pic.
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery before the Civil War and helped dozens more reach freedom through the Underground Railroad.
A Hollywood studio executive suggested Julia Roberts would be the perfect actress in that role.
When the film’s screenwriter said that Julia Roberts couldn’t play Harriet Tubman, the exec reportedly said, “The Civil War was so long ago. No one is going to know the difference.” (Entertainment Weekly)