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The desire for familiarity and nostalgia remains potent among audiences. Fans want to see Julia Roberts smiling broadly and delivering the charming performances they loved in the ’90s. The idea that she should reinvent herself as an actress seeking critical acclaim or gravitating toward darker, more serious roles is seen as a deviation from what made her successful. Instead, stars like Roberts are advised to lean into their established personas—"romcoms, big smiles, and a sense of familiarity"—rather than chase fleeting prestige or awards.