Julia Roberts was once suggested to play abolitionist hero Harriet Tubman, according to a screenwriter for the movie.

Gregory Allen Howard — who started working on the film in 1994 — revealed the odd casting choice in a recent Q&A with Focus Features.

“I was told how one studio head said in a meeting, ‘This script is fantastic. Let’s get Julia Roberts to play Harriet Tubman,'” Howard said.

“Someone pointed out Julia Roberts couldn’t be Harriet, the executive responded, ‘It was so long ago. No one is going to know the difference.'”

For over 25 years, Howard said he was unable to make the historical drama about the former slave turned freedom fighter.

Recently, he pointed out, the climate in Hollywood has changed.

“When ’12 Years A Slave’ became a hit and did a couple hundred million dollars worldwide, I told my agent, ‘You can’t say this kind of story won’t make money now,'” he explained.

“Then ‘Black Panther’ really blew the doors open.”

Tony-award winner Cynthia Erivo was cast as the famous freedom fighter in “Harriet,” released earlier in November.