Richard Gere said “no” to ‘Pretty Woman’ but Julia Roberts used three words to win him over

When the cast of the classic 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman reunited in 2015, some secrets were spilled.

The film, starring a 21-year-old Julia Roberts, who at the time had appeared in Mystic Pizza and Steel Magnolias, and Richard Gere, an already established sex symbol, was originally intended to have a dark storyline, called 3000.

The original script followed the life of drug addicted prostitute, who at the end is tossed out of the limousine, onto her back on the street, with Edward throwing her $3,000 in earnings on her body before driving away.

Then Garry Marshall, the legendary producer and screenwriter, stepped in as director, and it was taken over by Disney, transforming the film into the fairy tale that generations still love.

Still, Gere wasn’t interested in starring in the film and said no, “a few times.”

“It wasn’t a part, it was just nothing. It was a suit, you can put a suit on a goat and put it out there, and it would work,” said Gere, who’s now 73. “I didn’t get it.”

Marshall, who was also interested in casting actor Charles Grodin–known for Midnight Run and The Heartbreak Kid–was still hoping for Gere.

“The chemistry between Roberts and Gere was perfect,” Marshall shared.

The multiple award-winning Marshall, who died in 2016 at 81, directed classic films like Beaches, Runaway Bride (also with Gere and Roberts), Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve and Mother’s Day. He also created TV series like Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy.

“The actors brought such a lovability and charm that I didn’t think the audience would want a dark ending, and it didn’t hurt that I am from the school of happy endings,” Marshall said.

And Pretty Woman needed the coupling of Gere and Roberts–two very relatable actors–for audiences to feel the triumph when the pair found their “happily ever after.”

Marshall describes how he brought the two together and left them alone in a room, hoping their connection would bring them onscreen as co-stars.

Related Posts

I Was Charged for Every Little Thing at My In-Laws’ House – Am I Overreacting or Was This Totally Unacceptable?

I’ve always prided myself on being a loving and supportive grandmother. For me, family comes first. So when my daughter-in-law, Jessica, asked me to babysit my grandson,…

Paddy’s Plane Misunderstanding!

A Muslim was sitting next to Paddy on a plane. Keep Calm And Oh Feck It Enjoy Some Craic Paddy ordered a whiskey. The stewardess asked the…

JD Vance sparks outrage after ‘lack of respect’ following Pope Francis’ death

A day before his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, when he greeted the crowd and wished them Happy Easter, Pope Francis welcomed Vice President JD Vance…

Can you find the hidden cat among people in this image?

Ready to test how sharp your brain really is? This photo puzzle could be your ultimate challenge. Somewhere in a sea of humans, a sneaky little cat…

Why You Should Be Putting Aluminium Foil Behind Your Router

Is your Wi-Fi acting up lately? Maybe your devices are connecting just fine in the living room but drop the signal in that cozy upstairs office or…

Mullein Uses and Plant Monograph

I love watching my garden wake up in the early morning hours of the summer. As the sun readies itself to crest the eastern ridge, birds and…