In light of her recent Best Actress victory at the Academy Awards, "The Blind Side" leading lady Sandra Bullock is understandably enjoying some time in the spotlight.

With more than a few projects already lined up, Bullock's future is pretty well covered. The road that led to the Oscars, however, is somewhat more mystifying, but it sure has a lot in common with Julia Roberts' own career.

That's not to suggest that Roberts is responsible for Bullock's award-winning performance  though the "Pretty Woman" star was reportedly the first choice to play Leigh Anne Tuohy in.

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Way before Sandra Bullock was cast as the lead in the blockbuster movie, “The Blind Side,” execs at 20th Century Fox wanted Julia Roberts to star in the film. Roberts turned down the role.

Fox reportedly wanted to alter the script and change the lead to a male. The film is based on the true story of Leigh Anne Tuohy.

A Caucasian interior decorator in Memphis who adopts a homeless African American teen and assists the young man in achieving academic and athletic success. He is presently a starter for the Baltimore Ravens NFL football team.

All the major Hollywood studios had taken a pass on the movie. Enter Alcon, a small independent production and finance company with a very powerful financial ally named Fred Smith, founder and CEO of Federal Express.

As a matter of fact, ever since Smith’s youngest son, Cannon, took a date with the Tuohys' daughter, Collins, Smith has been a friend of the family.

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Ah. Who doesn’t love Sundays? Tonight, make sure to tune in for the 2010 Academy Awards (Right TV is live-blogging it!), but for now, let’s take a look back at one of the classic memorable moments at the Academy Awards.

Julia stole the hearts of many with a touching and charming speech at the Academy Awards She definitely took charge of the stage, telling the music conductor, to sit down, should he attempt to usher her of the stage with the traditional "Oscars" music.

She also seemed extremely grateful for the win, especially considering it was her first time winning an Academy Award! You gotta love Julia. Beautiful, smart and talented all in one. But enough of me – just take look at the video for yourself (below)!

Hopefully, there are plenty more touching Oscar moments to come. Tonight, there are quite a few interesting nominees. Maybe we’ll see some of the female nominees following in Julia’s footsteps. Up for nomination in the Actress in a Leading Role category are Meryl Streep, Gabourey Sidibe, Carey Mulligan, Helen Miren and Sandra Bullock.

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WHY? After Ahlan! last week revealed that Julia Roberts perhaps isn’t quite the lovely auburn-haired, Southern sweetie we’ve all been lead to believe since Pretty Woman.

The news that she banked Dhs11 million for just six minutes of screen time in the new romcom Valentine’s Day has inched her a notch higher up our ‘Lame list’.

Raking in around Dhs30,000-per-second to try and make cinema-goers suspend every molecule of their very souls in disbelief to swallow the premise.

That Julia is an army captain (we’ll say it again…army captain!), suddenly we’re soooo Team ‘The woman who told her ‘It’s very expensive’ in that snooty Rodeo Drive store’!

"Extra" caught up with "Pretty Woman" star Richard Gere at the premiere of his new film, "Brooklyn's Finest" in New York -- where he dished his thoughts about a sequel to the 1990 classic. Julia Roberts weighed in on the possibility of the project a few months ago, saying, "Nobody wants to see an old hooker." Richard has a different take. "An old hooker that looks like her, I think people would still be interested." What do you think? Should they make "Pretty Woman 2?"

These actors individually have been power-house performers, with their unique legacy to be followed by the next generation of actors.

While being the on-screen characters they the ladies have exuded off-screen glamour and the actors have been gentlemen personified.

Whenever they have faced brick-bats or criticisms from media or public they have managed to emerge stronger than before.

But when these actors and actresses names are taken together in pairs like, Julia Roberts – Richard Gere and Tom Hanks  Meg Ryan, it conjure up memories of the three most loved on-screen couples of Hollywood.

They have done wonders together and made us fall in love not only with their characters but fall in love all over again with the concept of Love.

Here is a brief rundown of the films these pairs have done together and left us with wanting more. Julia Roberts  Richard Gere, first time teamed up in a Gary Marshall movie Pretty Woman (1990).

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JuliaTom Hanks is keeping it Greek.  He is working on another project with Nia Vardalos. The new movie is a comedy called Larry Crowne starring Julia Roberts and is about a middle-aged man who is looking to reinvent himself. Hanks has been writting the scipt with Nia Vardalos since he came up with the idea in 2006.

Ever since they have been working on it together. Nia came up with the first draft. Vardalos and Hanks have worked on several projects together.  Tom’s Greek trends include his work producing My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Connie and Carla, and executive producing the recent My Life in Ruins. Tom can’t get enough of us Greeks!The feature film starring Julia Roberts is currently in pre-production, and claims to be out by 2011.  Tom Hanks will be directing and acting in the film.

Hollywood beauty Julia Roberts has been named as the new face of luxury brand Lancome. Following in the footsteps of fellow leading ladies Kate Winslet and Demi Moore, the 42-year-old will star in a new campaign, which will be unveiled in May.

The images of the gorgeous actress - used to promote a mascara - were shot by famed photographer Mario Testino in a private Manhattan apartment.Speaking about her appointment.

As Lancome's latest spokesperson, Julia told WWD magazine: "It's kind of like every girl's dream, really." "To be 42 and have three kids and be a working mum, it’s a great moment to be asked to do this and to be able to do it."

"I think it says a lot about Lancome and what they stand for." The down-to-earth rom-com star then jokingly added: "I think I have to stand up straighter and wash my face more."

Initially, it was ‘Avatar’ which made huge impact but now it is pretty woman’s turn Julia Roberts whose splashing smile has worked out profitably for her film.

‘Valentine’s Day’ which has been listed with a record breaking profit of $52.4million in the first weekend of three days. May be it is the presiding effect of Valentine.

That has placed the movie in a remarkable position in the initial start up of the weekend with a gross mark of $52.4million and while another record of $66.9 million on its fourth day completion.

The film has left behind its tough competitor, 'Percy Jackson' in second position with $38.8 million, 'The Wolfman' in third position with $36.5 million and Avatar in fourth with $30 million.

'Valentine's Day' is an unusual love story set in Los Angeles and has gathered loads of appreciations. Hope Julia once again leaves her trade mark of 'Pretty Woman's success on screen reviving the glory of love once again.

If history repeats itself, Julia Roberts and director Garry Marshall know what they'll be doing 10 years from now: making a movie together. Mr. Marshall launched Ms. Roberts into stardom when he cast her as the hooker with a heart of gold in the 1990 romantic comedy "Pretty Woman." He again gave her career a boost with the 1999 romantic comedy "Runaway Bride."

Ms. Roberts' latest project with Mr. Marshall is the romantic comedy "Valentine's Day," which was No. 1 at the box office last weekend. Ms. Roberts says Mr. Marshall loves to work with familiar actors and crew. "Valentine's Day" also stars "Pretty Woman's" Hector Elizondo, and many of the behind-the-scenes people also worked on the 1990 movie.

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