Pretty Woman was the film that saw Julia Roberts become “America’s Sweetheart” and a true Hollywood icon alongside the suave Richard Gere. The 1990 romcom won a legion of fans upon release, and it remains one of the greatest films of its genre ever made.
The film was originally titled “3000,” referencing the amount of money Vivian (Julia Roberts) was paid for the week. The title was changed to Pretty Woman after the 1964 song “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison, which became a defining element of the film.
Julia Roberts was not the first choice for the role of Vivian Ward. Many actresses, including Molly Ringwald, Meg Ryan, and Daryl Hannah, turned down the part before Roberts was cast. This role ended up being her breakthrough, catapulting her to stardom. Initially, Richard Gere turned down the role of Edward Lewis multiple times. It wasn't until Julia Roberts convinced him during a meeting that he finally accepted the part.
One of the most iconic scenes in the movie, where Edward snaps the jewelry box on Vivian’s fingers, making her laugh, was improvised. The reaction from Julia Roberts was genuine, and director Garry Marshall loved it so much that he decided to keep it in the film.
The scene where Edward places Vivian’s shoe on her foot was Richard Gere’s idea. It was a spur-of-the-moment addition that became one of the film’s many memorable moments.
Richard Gere actually composed and played the piano piece featured in the hotel scene. This added a personal touch to his character’s portrayal and showcased Gere’s musical talent. He recalled, “The scene came about when director Garry Marshall said to me, ‘What do you do late at night in a hotel?’ And I said, ‘Well, I’m usually jet lagged, [that] would be the time I’m in a hotel. So I’m up all night and usually there’s a ballroom somewhere or a bar, and I’ll find a piano, and I’ll play the piano.’”
The chemistry between Roberts and Gere was so strong that it played a significant role in the film’s success. Their on-screen connection was palpable, making the romantic storyline more believable and endearing.
Pretty Woman was a massive success, grossing over $463 million worldwide. It became one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of all time, solidifying Julia Roberts as a leading actress and Richard Gere as a leading man in Hollywood.
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