With its iconic cast and unforgettable storyline, Pretty Woman (1990) is a film that not only captivated cinema audiences but also defined romantic comedies for an entire generation. The story follows the charming Edward Lewis (Richard Gere), a successful businessman who unexpectedly meets Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts), a witty and vibrant sex worker in Los Angeles. What begins as a business arrangement gradually transforms into a heartwarming love story as both discover unexpected sides of themselves—and of each other. Here are ten fun facts that offer a fresh look at this beloved film classic.
1 First of all, Pretty Woman was originally meant to end VERY differently…
The original screenplay had a much darker tone and a very different fate planned for Vivian (Julia Roberts) and Edward (Richard Gere). In an early version of the script, Vivian’s friend Kit was supposed to die from a drug overdose, and the romantic resolution between Vivian and Edward was never intended to happen.
According to this draft, Edward would throw Vivian out of his car, along with the money he had paid her for the weekend—resulting in a far more tragic and realistic ending than the one audiences eventually saw.
It was only when Walt Disney Studios became involved that the script was reworked into the sweet, heartwarming romantic comedy we know today, giving Vivian and Edward the happy ending that helped turn the film into a classic. [source]
2 Pretty Woman was originally meant to be called $3,000…
The original screenplay for Pretty Woman was titled $3,000 and, as previously mentioned, had a very different tone and storyline compared to the film audiences know today. In this early version, Vivian was written as a drug-addicted woman, and Edward was supposed to pay her $3,000 for the weekend, on the condition that she stay off drugs during that time.
The working title $3,000 was taken directly from this plot element, reflecting the story’s grittier and more realistic approach before it was transformed into a romantic comedy. [source]
3 It was close to the point where Julia Roberts almost didn’t play the role of Vivian…
Several well-known actresses were considered for the lead role before Roberts was cast. Laura Dern, Demi Moore, and Molly Ringwald were among the names discussed, but they weren’t ultimately chosen to play Vivian Ward. Roberts went on to deliver an iconic performance that helped drive the film’s success and boosted her own career. Can you imagine Pretty Woman without her in the lead? [source]
You may also like
4 Richard Gere was also not the studio’s first choice for the role of Edward…
It wasn’t only Julia Roberts who wasn’t an obvious pick for the film—Richard Gere wasn’t the studio’s first choice to play Edward Lewis either. Several other actors were considered before Gere was ultimately cast. John Travolta, Liam Neeson, and Michael Douglas were all discussed for the role, but in the end, it went to Gere.
When the producers decided they wanted Richard Gere for the part, he was initially not interested. He turned the role down several times before director Gary Marshall involved Julia Roberts to personally persuade him. According to the story, Roberts wrote “Please, say yes” on a piece of paper and showed it to Gere while he was on the phone with Marshall. This reportedly led Gere to finally accept the role—and in hindsight, he’s probably very glad he did. [source]
5 When Vivian lies on the floor watching I Love Lucy, she laughs hysterically — but in reality, she isn’t actually laughing at the show…
During the filming of the scene in Pretty Woman where Vivian is lying on the floor watching I Love Lucy, director Garry Marshall reportedly tickled Julia Roberts’s feet to get the uncontrollable laughter the scene required. [source]
6 Here’s a fun piano-related fact you might not know about Pretty Woman…
You know the famous “sex on the piano” scene? According to the DVD’s director’s commentary, the real sound of the piano keys was too dissonant, so the sound of the keystrokes had to be added in later during post-production.
And speaking of the piano and Pretty Woman—Richard Gere can actually play the piano, and he also composed the piece of music he performs in the film himself. [source]
You may also like
7 The film’s iconic jacket was bought from a random woman on the street…
The iconic red jacket worn by Julia Roberts’s character when Edward first sees her in Pretty Woman was purchased right off the street. According to reports and interviews with the film’s costume designers, they spotted the jacket on a random woman while driving around looking for costume inspiration. They reportedly approached her and bought the jacket directly from her for $30. [source]
8 The mistakes you probably missed in the Pretty Woman movie poster…
The famous Pretty Woman poster actually features Julia Roberts’s head superimposed onto the body of Shelley Michelle, who served as her body double. Additionally, Richard Gere’s hair appears black on the poster, even though it is gray in the actual film. [source]
You may also like
9 Hank Azaria delivered his very first spoken line in a film in Pretty Woman…
Azaria portrayed the detective in Pretty Woman—and this marked the first film in which he actually had a speaking role. Since the movie’s release, Azaria has gone on to land many major roles, but one of his most iconic is arguably Phoebe’s boyfriend on the TV series Friends (1994–2004).
He is also widely known as a voice actor on The Simpsons, where he provides voices for characters such as Moe Szyslak, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, and Carl Carlson, to name just a few. A photo of Azaria as the detective in Pretty Woman appears below—he can be seen on the left side of the image. [source]
10 With a budget of just $14 million, Pretty Woman went on to gross more than $460 million…
Pretty Woman was produced on a budget of approximately $14 million. In terms of revenue, the film proved to be a major success, earning over $460 million worldwide from its theatrical release, with additional income generated through DVD and Blu-ray sales as well as streaming platforms. [source]
You may also like
5 Common Questions About Pretty Woman
It tells the story of a wealthy businessman and a sex worker who form an unexpected romantic connection, beginning as a business arrangement and gradually turning into genuine love.
The lead roles are played by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, whose on-screen chemistry became one of the film’s most defining features.
The film premiered in 1990 and quickly became one of the most successful romantic comedies of all time.
No. The story is fictional, though early versions of the script were inspired by grittier, more realistic themes before being rewritten into a romantic comedy.
It helped redefine the romantic comedy genre, launched Julia Roberts to superstardom, and remains memorable for its humor, music, and iconic scenes.
