In 1990, when Pretty Woman first hit the theaters, it had all the ingredients for a box office hit. As a modern-age Cinderella story was a twist, it was hard not fall head over heels over this iconic movie. The cast was lead by Richard Gere, who played Edward Lewis, an immensely wealthy and serious businessman and Julia Roberts, who played Vivian Ward, a lower-class and extremely charming pretty woman. In the movie, Richard ends up falling head over heels for Julia Roberts, who swayed us all with her unforgettable smile and charisma. When the movie was originally released, it was attracted mixed reviews as it discussed some controversial subjects. However, the critics were soon swayed by the plot and it went on to take home plenty of awards. It even grossed $463 million at the box office. Plus it helped launch the hugely successful careers for the lead characters, who are still remembered to this day for their iconic performances.
About That Movie Poster
For the movie poster, Julia Roberts’ head was actually photo-shopped onto the body of the famous double Shelley Michelle. Considering it was the 90’s, that’s some serious photo-shopping skills!
About That Movie Poster
About Richard’s Hair
We’ll let you in on another photo-shopping secret. For the cover, they actually colored Richard Gere’s hair brown, even though it’s silvery-grey in the movie.
About Richards Hair
That Homeless Guy
You may not realize, but the homeless guy who asks Edward for directions, is actually none other than the movie’s director, Gary Marshall. Well that’s one way to cameo your own movie!
That Homeless Guy
That Piano Scene
Richard Gere doesn’t just act or play the piano, he had some other awesome talents up his sleeve. For that unforgettable piano scene, he also composed the piece of music that he played.
That Piano Scene
The Setting
In case you’re wondering where you can try to find your own Richard Gere, the movie was actually shot at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
The Setting
Isn’t It Ironic
It was a little ironic that Richard took Julia to see the infamous opera La Traviata. That’s because the plot of opera follows prostitute who also falls in love with a wealthy man, just like the movie.
Isnt It Ironic
The Milestone
The film actually surpassed everyone’s expectations and became the fourth highest grossing romantic comedy in US history.
The Milestone
That Red Coat
Throughout the movie, Vivian is seen wearing a distinctive red coat. That jacket was actually a bargain at $30 and the director actually took it from a movie usher before the production started.
That Red Coat
A Change In Direction
In the original script, the directors wanted Vivian’s character to be a drug addict for added depth. However, they later decided to make the film a little more light-hearted and appeal to a younger audience and scrapped that idea.
A Change In Direction
He Wasn’t Supposed To Do That
That laugh was real! In the iconic scene where Edward gives Vivian the diamond necklace and keeps snapping the box, it was actually improvised by Richard Gere, and the film wouldn’t have been the same without it!
He Wasnt Supposed To Do That.
The Necklace Was Worth How Much?
Another reason why Julia was so happy was probably because the necklace was worth a whopping $250,000! We can also now understand why the jewelry store had to send a security guard to stand closely next to the director during the filming!
The Necklace Was Worth How Much
He Nearly Didn’t Get The Lead
It seems Richard Gere wasn’t the only star considered for the lead role of Edward Lewis. The directors originally wanted to cast Christopher Reeve, Denzel Washington and Daniel Day-Lewis.
He Nearly Didnt Get The Lead
They Were Also Supposed To Be Cast
What’s more, the directors had also reportedly contemplated casting Al Pacino, Albert Brooks and Sylvester Stallone for the role. Thankfully, they turned it down as the role was clearly made for Richard Gere!
They Were Also Supposed To Be Cast
She Nearly Didn’t Get The Lead Either
The directors reportedly offered that role of Vivian to Sandra Bullock and Sarah Jessica Parker at first. We couldn’t imagine anyone else but Julia Roberts playing Vivian, so luckily for Julia, they both turned down the lead role too.
She Nearly Didnt Get The Lead Either
Runaway Bride
Nine years after the release of Pretty Woman, the cast including Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo and Kathleen Marshall all reunited for the hit movie Runway Bride.
Runaway Bride
She Was That Nervous
Some actors are nervous when it comes to steamy scenes. But for Julia, she was that nervous about being naked during that scene that a visible vein popped out of her forehead. The Director was so worried too that he jumped onto the bed with her and Gere and started to massage her forehead. Thankfully it soon disappeared and they could get back to business!
She Was That Nervous
So That’s How To Make Her Laugh
Though Julia doesn’t seem to have much trouble bursting into laughter, the director had to tickle Julia Robert’s feet so she would laugh in this scene.
So Thats How To Make Her Laugh
She Got So Into The Scene
Julia was enjoying herself so much during in this bath scene, that she dunked her head in and when she popped up, everyone had left (including the cameraman).
She Got So Into The Scene
That Kiss
Although the movie wouldn’t have been the same without Prince’s iconic song ‘Kiss’ playing, the song didn’t actually appear on the movie soundtrack.
That Kiss
He Wouldn’t Stay Still
In the beginning of filming, Richard Gere wouldn’t stay still and used to walk around too much. So the director had to ask him to stand still.
He Wouldnt Sit Still
What Is In A Name
In the original script, the producers wanted to call the movie”$3,000″. This is because the that’s how Vivianne charged for one night. That all changed when they got the rights to the track “Pretty Woman”, and the rest is history.
What Is In A Name
That Unforgettable Red Dress
The striking red dress that Vivian wore to the opera was actually designed by the talented Marilyn Vance-Straker.
That Unforgettable Red Dress
You Can’t Win Them All
Since the movie featured picking up prostitutes and it was quite controversial, both Ferrari and Porsche didn’t want their cars to be used in the movie.
You Cant Win Them All
Critical Acclaim
Pretty Woman was so successful that it was nominated for four Golden Globes.
Critical Acclaim
The Other Pretty Woman
There’s actually another Pretty Woman movie out there, and it’s a Disney movie!
The Other Pretty Woman
Fans May Not Have Noticed, But…
In the breakfast scene where Vivian and Edward eat after their first night together, Julia starts eating a croissant. However, when pans back onto the scene, she actually holding a pancake instead.
Fans May Not Have Noticed But…
The Scenes They Didn’t Release
We wish they had released the scenes the producers deleted as these were LEGENDARY! They ranged from Vivian squeezing packets of ketchup onto her posh steak, to Edward trying to fight off a gang attempting to take drug money from his beau.
The Scenes They Didnt Release
That Apartment
In the movie, Vivian’s apartment was actually Las Palmas Hotel in Los Angeles. If you’re interested, the hotel is still there, and looks exactly the same.
That Apartment
Too Steamy
The piano scene was actually originally too steamy and sexual for the directors, so had to be cut down before they released the movie.
Too Steamy
That Hotel Clerk
When Vivian meets the the hotel clerk at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, it’s actually played by the producer’s daughter, Kathleen. The actor also featured in some of Marshall’s other well-known films, including New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day and even The Princess Diaries.
That Hotel Clerk
The Guard Dog
Julia loved bringing her dog on the set. However, it was a little too protective of her and wouldn’t stop barking when she first comes on to Edward in her bra and underwear.
The Guard Dog
He Got A Bargain
When Julia was asked by The Guardian, whether the film glorified prostitution, she replied: “What are you going to do? You can’t please everybody. That movie was a fairytale. We did everything but put a glass slipper on. And I’ll tell you something else: for $3,000 a weekend, Richard Gere got a bargain.”
He Got A Bargain
She Was How Old?
When the film was released, Julia was just 22-years-old!
She Was How Old
It Could Have Ended So Differently
The original plot ending of Pretty Woman was actually much darker, and Vivian would have died from an overdose. Thankfully we got the fairy-tale ending we were waiting all for!
It Could Have Ended So Differently
The Pricetag
The production costs amount to around $14,000,000. Luckily it ended up being hugely successful and grossing $178,406,268 in the box office.
