Still a Classic! 35 Years On, Pretty Woman Remains the Romcom That Stole Everyone’s Heart
When Pretty Woman first hit screens 35 years ago, it didn’t just charm audiences — it became a cultural phenomenon.
Decades later, the beloved 1990 romcom continues to reign as one of the most iconic love stories ever told.
At just 22, Julia Roberts lit up the screen as the unforgettable Vivian Ward, opposite Richard Gere, then 40, playing suave billionaire Edward Lewis. Their undeniable chemistry sizzled — despite an age gap that, at the time, sparked plenty of raised eyebrows.
From On-Screen Deal to Real Chemistry: Pretty Woman Secrets You NEVER Knew
What started as a simple arrangement turned into one of Hollywood’s most beloved love stories. Vivian, hired by Edward to accompany him to a series of high-profile events, ended up falling for the man who changed her life — and he, unexpectedly, fell for her too.
Julia Roberts and Richard Gere had such incredible chemistry that they reunited nearly a decade later to charm audiences again in Runaway Bride (1999).
But believe it or not, the iconic duo wasn’t the original choice. A long list of Hollywood A-listers auditioned for the roles before Julia and Richard sealed the deal.
So what else don’t you know about this legendary romcom? MailOnline reveals 10 jaw-dropping facts about Pretty Woman that are guaranteed to surprise even the biggest fans.
Pretty Woman captured viewers’ hearts when it hit screens 35 years ago, thanks too Julia Roberts, who played Vivien Ward, and Richard Geré, who starred as Edward Lewis
But what are the other little-known facts of Pretty Woman? Here, MailOnline reveals 10 secrets of the iconic romcom that will blow your mind
1. Pretty Woman was originally called $3000
The 90s movie was originally intended to be called $3000 – the same amount of money Edward and Vivian agreed on to spend a night with him.
Speaking about the movie on The Graham Norton show in 2023, Julia said: ‘It was going to be a much darker film called $3,000.
‘Vivian was a drug addict and the movie ended with him leaving her in a side street, throwing the money at her, and driving away.’
The 90s movie was originally intended to be called $3000 – the same amount of money Edward and Vivian agreed on to spend a night with him
2. Julia was nearly replaced
During casting, Julia wasn’t always the front runner to play Vivien.
Drew Barrymore, 50, and Winona Ryder, 53, auditioned for the role of Vivian but were rejected because they were too young at the time.
Thankful for being several years older, Julia got the part and went onto star in the world’s most loved movie.
Drew Barrymore, 50, and Winona Ryder, 53, auditioned for the role of Vivian but were rejected because they were too young at the time
3. Richard wasn’t always the chosen one
Like Julia, Richard wasn’t always the chosen man to play the rich businessman.
Sean Connery, who died in 2020, Al Pacino, 84, and Burt Reynolds were equally considered for the role of Edward.
Al reportedly turned down the role of Edward because he felt he ‘wasn’t the right actor for it’ after a screen test with Julia.
Before his death in 2018, Burt was asked why he too turned down the role in the movie – admitting ‘because I’m an idiot’.
Like Julia, Richard wasn’t always the chosen man to play the rich businessman. Sean Connery, Al Pacino, 84, and Burt Reynolds were equally considered for the role of Edward
4. Demi Moore turned down the role of Vivian’s best friend
Award-winning actress Demi Moore, 62, reportedly turned down the role of Vivian’s best friend Kit, according to Heat magazine.
Demi and a host of other stars including Laura Dern, Marisa Tomei, Anabelle Sciorra, Lorraine Bracco and Mary Steenburgen all either came in or considered to be casted in the movie.
Award-winning actress Demi Moore, 62, reportedly turned down the role of Vivian’s best friend Kit, according to Heat magazine
5. Julia and Richard had an 18-year age gap
The actors’ 18-year gap raised some eyebrows when the film was first released.
Richard, 71, was 40 years old at the time he played Edward, while Julia, now 57, was 22.
Julia had one condition for playing the sex worker in the movie – not stripping off for naked scenes.
When she first met director Garry Marshall about playing Vivian in pre-production, she was 21 at the time.
During their meeting, she insisted: ‘I won’t be naked’.
The actors’ 18-year gap raised eyebrows when the film was first released. Richard, 71, was 40 years old at the time he played Edward, while Julia, now 57, was 22 (pictured together in 2015)
Julia had one condition for playing the sex worker in the movie – not stripping off for naked scenes
6. Richard actually plays the piano
While he is renowned for his acting skills, Richard is also very talented with various instruments.
Not only did he actually play the piano in the hotel bar scene, its a piece he composed himself.
As well as his acting and piano talents, he can also play the guitar and trumpet.
Not only did Richard actually play the piano in the hotel bar scene, its a piece he composed himself
7. The snail scene is also in the Princess Diaries films
In the iconic dinner scene where Vivien flings a snail across the room in the fancy restaurant and the waiter catches it – it was actually director Garry who threw it.
The waiter says: ‘It happens all the time.’
Garry, who died in 2016, put the same scene into the Princess Diaries films – which he directed.
In both of the films, a waiter is given the same line and role of catching the snail.
In the iconic dinner scene where Vivien flings a snail across the room in the fancy restaurant and the waiter catches it – it was actually director Garry who threw it
Garry, who died in 2016, put the same scene into the Princess Diaries films – which he directed (Anne Hathaway pictured in Princess Diaries)
In both of the films, a waiter is given the same line and role of catching the snail, saying ‘It happens all the time.’
8. Edward improvised the jewellery box scene
In the heart-warming scene which sees Edward give Vivien the dazzling necklace, he jokingly snaps the jewellery box on her hand when she goes to touch it.
But it turns out the scene wasn’t actually scripted – it was just Richard’s last minute improvisation.
The funny scene, which has been loved and copied by many, was a pure reaction from Julia.
9. The necklace cost $250,000
The exact dazzling necklace, which Richard almost shut Julia’s hand inside, cost a whopping $250,000 (£193,658).
While filming the scene, a security guard had to keep all eyes on the necklace on set at all times.
The guard was said to be constantly standing behind the director to made sure the necklace – from an unknown jewellery store – didn’t go missing.
The exact dazzling necklace, which Richard almost shut Julia’s hand inside, cost a whopping $250,000 (£193,658)
The movie was never meant to be a romcom, it was intended to be a dark tale of class and sex work in Los Angeles
10. It was never meant to be a romcom
The movie was never meant to be a romcom, it was intended to be a dark tale of class and sex work in Los Angeles.
After the production company folded and the film disappeared, Disney picked up the movie and made it more romantic and humorous.
After going over the previous script idea, Julia admitted she ‘had no business being in a movie like that’ in a 2019 chat.
She added, ‘There was one producer that stayed with the script and then it went to Disney. And I went, “went to Disney? Are they gonna animate it? How does this become a Disney movie?”‘
