By Bobbi Emel/Dec 14, 2020
There’s a scene that wasn’t supposed to be filmed, another one that was totally off the cuff, and one last one that was a part of the final cut of the film that wasn’t supposed to. Can you figure out which scenes we’re talking about? When Pretty Woman first hit theaters in 1990, it was an instant success. It was hard not to fall in love with the sweet Cinderella story about Edward Lewis, the wealthy and serious businessman played by Richard Gere, falling in love with Vivian Ward, a lower-class and good-spirited woman played by Julia Roberts.
Despite getting mixed reviews about its slightly controversial subject, the film went on to win several awards and made a total of $463 million at the box office. The movie also served as a big break for both leading actors, who still to this day are remembered for their remarkable performances.
This scene where Edward gives Vivian a diamond necklace was actually improvised by Richard Gere.
Julia Roberts’ head was superimposed on the body of the famous body double Shelley Michelle for the movie poster.
That is some impressive Photoshop skills for the 90’s.
Speaking of the cover, notice how Richard Gere’s hair is brown? Well, in the movie it’s gray. Oops.
The homeless man that Edward asks for directions is actually the director, Gary Marshall.
Richard Gere not only played the piano, but he also composed the piece of music that is played.
The film really was shot at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
The opera they were seeing was called La Traviata, which is pretty ironic because it’s about a prostitute who falls in love with a wealthy man.
It’s the fourth highest grossing romantic comedy in American history.
The famous red coat that Vivian wears throughout the film was actually a $30 jacket taken from a movie usher the director met before filming started.
And the necklace was worth a whopping $250,000. The jewelry store sent a security guard to stand next to the director during filming.
Christopher Reeve, Denzel Washington and Daniel Day-Lewis were reportedly considered for the role of Edward Lewis.
And apparently, Al Pacino, Albert Brooks and Sylvester Stallone were offered the role and turned it down.
In addition, Sandra Bullock and Sarah Jessica Parker were reportedly offered the role of Vivian and turned it down.
Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo and Kathleen Marshall all appeared together in Runaway Bride nine years after Pretty Woman came out.
When they first started filming, Richard Gere would walk around a lot. The director asked him to stay still instead.
The movie was originally supposed to be called “$3,000” because that’s how much a night cost with Julia Robert’s character. It wasn’t until they got the rights to the song “Pretty Woman” that they decide to change it.
The red dress Vivian wears to the opera was designed by Marilyn Vance-Straker.
Neither Ferrari nor Porsche wanted their cars to be used in the movie.
The film was nominated for four Golden Globes.
Pretty Women Is Actually A Disney Movie. Weird.
There’s actually a mistake in the scene where Vivian and Edward eat breakfast after their first night together. Julia starts eating a croissant, but when the camera cuts back to her she’s holding a pancake instead.
Vivian’s apartment in the film was really Las Palmas Hotel in Los Angeles, and its still there, looking exactly the same.
The hotel clerk at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel is the producer’s daughter, Kathleen. She’s also appeared in Marshall’s other films such as New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day and The Princess Diaries.
Julia Roberts brought her dog onto set, apparently wouldn’t stop barking in the scene when Vivian first comes on to Edward in her bra and underwear.
When asked about the film glorifying prostitution, Julia told The Guardian: “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.”
The original ending of the movie was seriously dark, which included Vivian dying from an overdose.
It cost $14,000,000 to make the film, but it ended up grossing $178,406,268.
