Julia Roberts appeared nearly unrecognizable while filming August: Osage County alongside Ewan McGregor in Bartsville, Oklahoma. Known for her glamorous roles, Roberts traded her signature style for a frumpy look to portray Barbara Weston, a woman grappling with family tensions after the disappearance of her alcoholic father. Dressed plainly in layered blouses and loose jeans with her hair unstyled, the 44-year-old actress embodied the emotionally charged role. In one particularly intense scene, Roberts and McGregor’s character, Bill Fordham, approach a boat dock to identify a body, prompting Barbara to break down in tears, finding solace in Bill’s arms. Despite the heavy content, Roberts was seen laughing between takes, showing camaraderie with co-stars like Julianne Nicholson.

The film, which includes performances by Benedict Cumberbatch, Meryl Streep, and Juliette Lewis, reflects a strong ensemble cast. Nicholson appeared equally unkempt for her role, wearing mismatched clothing and a simple ponytail. Originally, Renée Zellweger and Andrea Riseborough were considered for roles in the film; Riseborough was cast but dropped out due to scheduling issues and was replaced by Juliette Lewis. Abigail Breslin ultimately secured the role of Jean Fordham over Chloë Moretz. The atmosphere on set mixed serious drama with light-hearted off-camera moments, showing the actors’ versatility and connection during production. August: Osage County was slated for a 2013 release and attracted attention for its emotional depth and powerful performances.