Pretty Woman is one of those timeless films that never gets old—no matter how many times you watch it. But despite countless viewings, some surprising bloopers and behind-the-scenes stories still slip under the radar.
This romantic comedy launched Richard Gere and Julia Roberts to superstardom, but its journey to becoming a feel-good classic was anything but conventional. Originally titled 3,000 and penned by struggling screenwriter J.F. Lawton, the script explored dark themes of class disparity and corporate greed. Enter Disney, which reimagined it as a high-budget rom-com, swapping grit for glam.
Casting Surprises
Hard to imagine anyone but Gere as Edward Lewis, the suave billionaire who hires Vivian Ward (Roberts) for a week. But Al Pacino nearly snagged the role, even reading opposite Roberts before bowing out. Pacino later praised Roberts, calling her “phenomenal,” a sentiment echoed by director Garry Marshall, who instantly saw the chemistry between Gere and Roberts.