Other notable stars in the 2013 film include Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken and Meryl Streep as Violet Weston.
According to the IMDb page, Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were both considered for roles in the movie. While Riseborough was initially cast, she had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts, leading to Juliette Lewis stepping in to play Karen Weston.
Chloë Moretz also auditioned for the role of Jean Fordham, but ultimately, the part went to Abigail Breslin.
All smiles: The cast seemed to share a laugh while working with Julianna Nicholson on set.
However, during scenes with Ewan McGregor, the 44-year-old actress was nearly unrecognizable from her iconic portrayal of Vivian Ward in 1990’s Pretty Woman.
Julia Roberts Unrecognizable While Filming Emotional Scenes for August: Osage County
Far from her usual glamorous image, Julia Roberts underwent a dramatic transformation on the set of August: Osage County in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. With her face free of makeup and dressed in understated, dowdy clothing, Roberts fully embodied the role of Barbara Weston, a woman struggling through a family crisis.
On set with co-star Ewan McGregor, Roberts filmed a particularly emotional scene on Thursday. Wearing a white shirt layered over a cream top and paired with loose-fitting blue jeans, she looked nothing like her iconic role as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman. Her long brunette hair was left natural and unstyled, perfectly fitting her character—a daughter forced to confront deep family tensions when her alcoholic father goes missing.
During one intense moment, McGregor’s character, Bill Fordham, holds Barbara’s hand as they walk to a dock where a sheriff waits to identify a dead body. Upon seeing it, Roberts breaks down in tears, collapsing into McGregor’s arms in a raw, tearful performance.
Despite the emotional weight of the scene, there were moments of levity between takes. Julia was later seen laughing with co-stars, including Julianne Nicholson, who appeared to be sharing a joke with the group. The contrast between the serious tone of the film and the cast’s off-camera camaraderie was striking.
Nicholson, known for her role in Boardwalk Empire, was also dressed down for her character—wearing a blue shirt, brown flared trousers, and her hair pulled back in a ponytail.
The 2013 ensemble film features a strong cast, including Benedict Cumberbatch as Little Charles Aiken and Meryl Streep as Violet Weston. According to IMDb, both Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were considered for roles in the film. Riseborough was initially cast but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts, leading to Juliette Lewis stepping in to play Karen Weston. Chloë Grace Moretz also auditioned for the role of Jean Fordham but ultimately lost the part to Abigail Breslin.
Though the scenes were heavy and emotionally charged, it was clear that behind the camera, the cast shared genuine warmth and humor—reminding everyone that even in dark stories, the human spirit shines through
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