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Julia Roberts attends the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California© Getty Images

Julia Roberts almost co-starred in this billion-dollar action franchise – here's what happened

Spoilers ahead for the latest in Ethan Hunt's adventures, of course

Ahad Sanwari
Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
July 27, 2023
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Julia Roberts may be the queen of the romantic comedy, but did you know there's a chance she could've been an equally impactful spy action star? That is, if Mission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie had his way.

In an interview with the podcast Empire Spoiler Specials, the director, 54, discussed originally wanting to cast the superstar actress, 55, for a small but pivotal role.

[Spoiler alert] In the newly released Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One, Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt runs into the terrorist Gabriel, who has a connection to Ethan's past.

VIDEO: Tom Cruise says seventh Mission: Impossible film is franchise's 'biggest moment'

In a few short black and white flashback scenes, Gabriel, played by Esai Morales, is shown killing a woman named Marie and frames Ethan for her death as she lies in his arms. The pivotal moment is what leads the legendary special agent to join the IMF in lieu of protection.

MORE: Julia Roberts stuns as she shares rare heartwarming video with fans

In the movie and its upcoming sequel, Marie is played by Mariela Garriga, known for her appearances in the NCIS franchise, but according to Christopher, Julia was initially his top choice.

Tom Cruise and Director Christopher McQuarrie attend the Global Premiere of 'Mission: Impossible - Fallout' at Palais de Chaillot on July 12, 2018 in Paris, France© Getty Images
Director Christopher McQuarrie intended to cast Julia for a small part in the two-part film

However, to play a woman in a scene set in 1989, he had considered de-aging her with the help of special effects, saying: "The best de-aging I've ever looked at, all I kept thinking is, 'Wow, this de-aging is really good.' I'm in no way, shape, or form connecting to the story."

MORE: Tom Cruise opens up about 'weirdest' account of relationship with Mission: Impossible co-stars

He had initially dismissed the idea of hiring a younger woman to play opposite a de-aged Tom and Esai, and thought: ""So now we started looking at it and saying, 'Who's Marie going to be? Who from that era would Marie have been?'"

Tom Cruise arrives at the premiere of "Mission: Impossible III" at Tribeca Performing Arts Center during the 5th Annual Tribeca Film Festival May 3, 2006 in New York City© Getty Images
Tom's Ethan Hunt was drawn to the IMF due to Marie's death

The idea was to cast an actress who would've been considered an ingenue in that era of cinema, which led him to a "pre-'Pretty Woman' Julia Roberts."

MORE: Julia Roberts' ageless before-and-after photos will make you do a double take

He continued: "The only way I could have seen doing the sequence justice [using de-aging] was to somehow convince Julia Roberts to come in and be this small role at the beginning of this story." But that soon fell apart when the thought of it coming across as more of a novelty crossed his mind.

Mariela Garriga attends the US Premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" presented by Paramount Pictures and Skydance at Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center on July 10, 2023, in New York, New York© Getty Images
The part eventually went to Mariela Garriga

"And then I got the bill for de-aging those people before their salaries were even factored into it. And if you put two of them in a shot together, or three of them in a shot together, it would have been as expensive as the train by the time we were done. 

MORE: Tom Cruise celebrates 61st birthday at Mission Impossible premiere – and check out that cake!

Julia Roberts attends the "Money Monster" premiere during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 12, 2016 in Cannes, France© Getty Images
The cost of de-aging and the novelty of the situation was deemed to be too much

"And of course, that wouldn't be the style of the movie in 1989. That wouldn't make sense if you were shooting an '89 'Mission' like a 2023 'Mission.'" The idea was eventually dropped and 34-year-old Mariela was brought in for the part. And the rest, as they say, is movie magic!

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