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The rumor that Gwyneth Paltrow<\/strong><\/a> stole her Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love<\/em><\/a> role from friend Winona Ryder<\/strong> may never rest.<\/p>\n Amy Odell<\/strong>\u2019s upcoming book, Gwyneth: The Biography<\/em>, seemingly reveals how Paltrow, 52, allegedly snagged the 1998 role right out from under Ryder\u2019s nose. As the story goes, Paltrow initially turned down the part of Viola de Lesseps.<\/p>\n An excerpt from Odell\u2019s book, published via People<\/em><\/a> on Wednesday, July 16, claims that Ryder, now 53, never received \u201can offer\u201d but she \u201cwanted to do the part.\u201d An interview with disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein<\/strong> in the biography further claimed that Paltrow actually \u201crecommended\u201d Ryder for the role.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter a story about Gwyneth allegedly stealing the script from Winona\u2019s coffee table reached the media, Gwyneth told friends that Ryder had started the rumor, and insisted she\u2019d received the script through her agent,\u201d the excerpt from Odell\u2019s book reads. When Shakespeare in Love<\/em> hit theaters in December 1998, the movie received \u201cravishing reviews.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Us Weekly\u00a0<\/em>has reached out to Paltrow and Ryder\u2019s teams for comment.<\/p>\n Paltrow and Ryder\u2019s friendship was a quintessential part of the 1990s in Hollywood. The two forged a bond as they dated BFFs<\/a> Ben Affleck<\/strong> and Matt Damon<\/strong>, respectively. Rumors have been swirling for years that Shakespeare in Love<\/em> was the reason for a falling out between the two actresses. While Ryder has stayed tight-lipped about the rumors, Paltrow addressed their apparent falling out during a 2015 interview.<\/p>\n Paltrow referred to the alleged script-stealing drama as an \u201curban myth\u201d while appearing on \u201cThe Howard Stern Show\u201d<\/a> at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cI swear to God I did not, I\u2019m raising my right hand on the Bible,\u201d she said at the time. \u201cI swear to God.\u201d<\/p>\n Another layer to the alleged drama came in the form of a 2009 Goop newsletter<\/a> \u2014 the early days of the wellness brand \u2014 where Paltrow spoke candidly about a past friendship. Fans were quick to speculate she was discussing Ryder, but this was never confirmed.<\/p>\n
\n Gwyneth Paltrow in \u2018Shakespeare in Love\u2019.<\/span> Miramax\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n