In Pretty Woman, a contemporary Cinderella tale, Julia Roberts’s troubled girl could only have a prince charming in Richard Gere. When Gere’s character, Edward, overcomes his fear of heights and scales the fire escape to save Roberts’ character, Vivian, who is waiting at the top of her “tower,” in the final scene, he won over everyone’s hearts.
It’s a little-known fact that Gere wasn’t sure he wanted to play the lead in the fantastic film, but Roberts convinced him to assume the role. Charles Grodin was the front-runner to portray Edward.
Discover what Roberts accomplished by reading on!
When the cast of the well-known romantic comedy Pretty Woman from 1990 reunited in 2015, several secrets were revealed.
The film, initially titled 3000, was planned to have a dark plot and starred Richard Gere—a sex idol at the time—and Julia Roberts, who was 21 years old at the time and had previously been in Mystic Pizza and Steel Magnolias.
A prostitute who was addicted to narcotics was the subject of the original tale. She is ultimately flung from the limousine and lies on her back in the street. After that, Edward leaves and dumps her $3,000 in tips on the floor.
Then, the renowned writer and producer Garry Marshall assumed the directorship. Disney later acquired the film and transformed it into the well-known fairy tale that we all adore today.
Nevertheless, Gere repeatedly responded “no” when asked if she wanted to be in the film.
“It was nothing, not a part of anything.” The 73-year-old Gere remarked, “It was a suit.” It would be effective if you could dress up a goat and send it there. “I didn’t get it.”
Marshall liked Gere, but he was also considering starring Charles Grodin, who was in The Heartbreak Kid and Midnight Run.
According to Marshall, “Roberts and Gere had a great chemistry.”
The multi-award winner Marshall passed away in 2016 at the age of 81. Great films directed by him include Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Beaches, and Runaway Bride (with Gere and Roberts as well). In addition, he produced TV series such as Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy.
Marshall remarked, “I didn’t think the audience would want a dark ending because the actors were so endearing and charming.” Being from the school of happy endings also helped.
Additionally, Pretty Woman actors Gere and Roberts made it feasible for viewers to share in the happiness of the couple’s “happily ever after.”
In the hopes that their chemistry might translate into their collaborating on screen, Marshall claims he put them together and left them alone in a room.
As far as Gere was concerned, Marhsall was absent.
“I was so mesmerized that I don’t remember Garry,” Gere remarked of his encounter with the 55-year-old Roberts. All I can think about is the girl. “At first, I wasn’t certain that I would actually make this movie. Playing together while we get to know one another is enjoyable.She crosses the desk, picks up a piece of paper, and begins to write on it. After that, she turns it over and offers it to me.”Please select “yes.”
According to Gere, Marshall was checking in with him over the phone at the time to see how things were going.
Indeed, I did! “It was very lovely!” said Gere.
Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman is beyond our comprehension! Their relationship is what makes that movie so iconic, and they look great together in it. When Gere climbs the fire escape at the conclusion of the film to save Robert’s Vivian, he also looks fantastic! It’s always a funny scene!
How do you feel about the movie Pretty Woman? Do you believe anyone else could portray Edward?
