Why Sandra Bullock Ignored Hugh Grant for 3 Years

Sandra Bullock at the UK film gala screening of "The Heat", 2013. Photo by Richard Goldschmidt under CC BY 3.0.

Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant may have lit up the screen in "Two Weeks Notice," but off-camera? Things weren't always so charming. In fact, their first meeting was such a disaster that Bullock didn't just walk away — she stayed away for three full years.

What really went down between America's sweetheart and Britain's ultimate heartbreaker? Was it a fight, a secret fling — or something far more scandalous?

Let's rewind to one of Hollywood's weirdest nearly-friendships — the one that almost never happened.

A Disgusting First Impression

It was supposed to be the start of a beautiful working relationship. Grant and Bullock — two of the biggest romantic comedy stars of the early 2000s — were finally getting into a room together. A "relationship meeting," as Hollywood calls it, according to the Express Tribune. A chance to vibe. See if the chemistry was real.

But what came out of Grant's mouth next changed everything.

Grant admitted in a BBC interview, "I told Sandy a very disgusting story," as reported by The Express Tribune. "She left the room — and I didn't hear from her for three years."

Three years. Total silence.

What Did He Say?

To this day, Grant hasn't revealed the details of the "disgusting story" that drove Bullock away. But whatever it was, it was enough for her to ghost him until 2002 — when they finally reunited on the set of "Two Weeks Notice."

Bullock later acknowledged the moment, saying Grant could be "blunt" and needed to "curb himself." In her interview with BBC, The Express Tribune reports she warned that if people actually heard what he thought, "he could offend just about anyone."

Which begs the question — was Bullock just one of many celebrities who got the full, unfiltered Grant?

The Hugh Grant Paradox

Over the years, Grant has built a reputation for being brutally honest, comically irritable, and just a little bit chaotic in interviews.

From sarcastically trashing his own films to half-heartedly promoting his work, Grant's candid nature often leaves people wondering — is he joking, or just doesn't care?

As Far Out Magazine put it, he's spent "decades being a d--- on purpose for his own amusement."

So, while the Bullock-Grant blowup isn't shocking... it is unforgettable.

Redemption in a Rom-Com

Eventually, Bullock put her disgust aside. In 2002, she reunited with Grant to film "Two Weeks Notice" — and the chemistry was undeniable.

Despite its formulaic plot, the Marc Lawrence-directed rom-com raked in nearly $200 million at the global box office. And just like that, a fractured friendship became Hollywood gold.

But did the ice truly thaw?

Friends or Just Co-Workers?

While they appeared cordial on press tours and red carpets, insiders say their relationship has always been more of a professional alliance than close friendship.

Still, they're far from enemies. In fact, recent reports suggest that Bullock is still "incredibly close" with Grant and Lawrence — and if she were to come out of her self-imposed Hollywood hiatus, it might just be with those two at the helm, Closer Weekly reported.

But make no mistake: if there is a sequel to "Two Weeks Notice," it's going to cost.

A Reunion Worth Millions?

According to insiders speaking to Closer Weekly, Bullock would need a "massive offer" to reunite with Grant for a sequel. Since the passing of her longtime partner Bryan Randall in 2023, she has been focused on family and taking a well-earned break from acting.

"It's going to take people she really trusts to get her back in the game, not to mention an absolutely enormous fee," said the insider.

The only way she'd even consider it? A great script. A massive paycheck. And familiarity. Meaning Marc Lawrence and Hugh Grant would have to be involved.

So... maybe it's not personal anymore. Maybe it never really was.

Did They Ever Date?

Despite years of fan speculation and their undeniable on-screen spark, there's no evidence Bullock and Grant ever dated.

They've always kept things strictly professional — if occasionally complicated. And while the "disgusting story" incident remains legendary, it also seems to be water under the bridge.

The Final Word

So, does Sandra Bullock hate Hugh Grant?

No. But she definitely didn't like him for a while.

But in the end, they proved that shared success (and maybe a few years of distance) can turn even the most awkward beginnings into something worth revisiting.

Just... maybe not without a seven-figure deal.

References: Hugh Grant reveals Sandra Bullock avoided him for three years after 'disgusting' first meeting | The story of how Hugh Grant revolted Sandra Bullock | Sandra Bullock Would Need 'Massive Offer' to Reunite With Hugh Grant for 'Two Weeks Notice' Sequel