Mindful of getting a reputation for being "too picky," Roberts was even more concerned about giving in to pressure and compromising her integrity. So she decided to take a stand and waited until the right project came along.

It turned out to be Alan Pakula's The Pelican Brief. The 1993 action-drama gave Roberts a "fully realised experience," one she felt was worth her time. "It was a great reintroduction into movies," she says, flashing her famous toothy smile. "It really had an impact on me."

With great power, though, comes great responsibility, and Roberts is the first to acknowledge that she is careful to make wise decisions. "It's sometimes scary being the first one there," she explains. "It's kind of like the first one showing up for a party and you're going to have to get everything going and lure other people to come."

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