The glamorous world of Pretty Woman wasn’t always what it seemed. Behind Julia Roberts’ dazzling smile and Richard Gere’s timeless charm, the set was full of untold secrets, hidden laughter, and choices that could have rewritten movie history.
When Pretty Woman premiered in 1990, the romantic comedy instantly captured hearts across the globe. But few fans know that Richard Gere almost never played Edward Lewis. Christopher Reeve, Daniel Day-Lewis, and even Denzel Washington were considered. Julia Roberts herself had to convince Gere to take the part — a decision that would make the role iconic.
The chemistry that made the film unforgettable wasn’t always effortless. In one now-famous moment, Roberts struggled to stay serious during a pivotal scene, breaking into uncontrollable giggles. Richard Gere laughed with her, proving their bond was real. Off-camera, director Garry Marshall even resorted to tickling Roberts’ feet to relax her, and once rubbed her face gently to calm her nerves. The laughter you see on screen wasn’t scripted — it was life.
And then there were the props. The stunning necklace worn by Roberts cost an astonishing $250,000 and was guarded on set by a jewelry store security team. Meanwhile, her now-iconic red coat cost just $30 — plucked by the director from a movie theater usher before filming began. Luxury and simplicity collided in a way that perfectly mirrored Vivian’s story.
Even the car brands didn’t believe in the film at first. Both Ferrari and Porsche declined to have their cars featured, missing out on what would become one of cinema’s most beloved fairy tales.
In 2015, during a cast reunion, long-hidden bloopers were revealed to fans. From Gere stumbling through lines to Roberts’ unstoppable laughter, the behind-the-scenes reel showed a family of actors and crew bound by joy, vulnerability, and real human connection.
Pretty Woman wasn’t just a love story between Edward and Vivian. It was also a story of the unlikely magic that happens when Hollywood risks pay off, when chemistry can’t be faked, and when a $30 coat becomes just as iconic as a quarter-million-dollar necklace.
And perhaps that’s why, decades later, the world is still in love with it.