The 41-year-old actress came out of retirement to star alongside Clive Owen in new spy film Duplicity, but admits she found Tuesday night’s London premiere intimidating.
She said: “The red carpet is just terrifying, awful. It’s scary out there – but it’s nice.”
Julia was once the world’s highest paid actress but retreated from Hollywood life when she gave birth to twins Hazel and Finn in 2004.
Since then she has spent most of her time at home with her cameraman husband Danny Moder, their 20-month-old son Henry and the twins.
Duplicity has put Julia back in the spotlight and she is already feeling pressure to live up to her stylish, elegant reputation.
She revealed: "I've put on three different outfits to come here tonight, three!"
Despite enjoying making the steamy film – about two spies who team up to carry out an elaborate con - Julia insists she won’t be rushing to sign up to another movie.
She said: "I don't have the bug to work, I have the bug to make good movies and those don't come along very often.”