35 Years Later: 11 Shocking Behind-The-Scenes Secrets That Made Julia Roberts' Pretty Woman An Unlikely Hit
Julia Roberts: A Biographical Snapshot
The star at the heart of the phenomenon, Julia Roberts, was a relative newcomer whose infectious laugh and undeniable charm were the "magic spell" that made the film work. Her performance as Vivian Ward earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination, launching her into the stratosphere of Hollywood's elite. Her professional profile is one of consistent success, transitioning from rom-com queen to serious dramatic actress.
- Full Name: Julia Fiona Roberts
- Born: October 28, 1967
- Birth Place: Smyrna, Georgia, USA
- Profession: Actress, Producer, Activist
- Key Early Career Films: Mystic Pizza (1988), Steel Magnolias (1989) (Oscar Nomination)
- Major Awards (Post-Pretty Woman): Academy Award for Best Actress (Erin Brockovich, 2000), three Golden Globe Awards.
- Status: One of the highest-paid actresses in the world throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
The Darkest Secrets of Pretty Woman's Production
The film we know and love is a radically different version of the story originally conceived by screenwriter J.F. Lawton. The original script, titled 3,000, was a far cry from the lighthearted romance directed by Garry Marshall. These shocking revelations highlight just how close the world came to never seeing the iconic Cinderella story.
1. The Original Plot Was Brutally Dark and Depressing
The original script, 3,000 (named for the price Edward Lewis agreed to pay Vivian Ward for a week), was not a fairy tale. In that version, Vivian was a drug addict, and the story ended with Edward abandoning her. In the most depressing version, Edward throws Vivian out of his car, along with the $3,000, and she is last seen heading to Disneyland with her friend, still addicted to drugs. When Disney (through their adult label Touchstone Pictures) acquired the script, they hired Garry Marshall to completely overhaul the tone, turning the story into the romantic comedy classic we celebrate today.
2. Julia Roberts Had to Beg Richard Gere to Take the Role
Richard Gere was notoriously hesitant to play the cynical corporate raider Edward Lewis. He found the script unappealing and had already turned down the role multiple times. It was Julia Roberts, in a moment of pure Vivian Ward charm, who convinced him. According to Gere, he received a phone call from Marshall and Roberts, and Roberts slid a note across the table to Gere that simply read: "Please say yes." That single note sealed his decision, and the rest is cinematic history.
3. The Iconic Red Dress Was Almost Black
The costume department initially wanted Vivian to wear a black gown to the opera, believing it looked more sophisticated. However, director Garry Marshall insisted on the now-iconic, off-the-shoulder red dress. He even had to fight the studio to get the color approved, as red was considered too bold and controversial for a Disney-produced film at the time. The red dress is now synonymous with the movie’s glamour and transformation.
4. A Body Double Was Used for the Poster and Key Scenes
The famous movie poster, featuring Roberts' head superimposed onto a body in the black boots and white tank top, actually used a body double named Shelley Michelle. Furthermore, Michelle also stood in for Roberts in several key scenes, including the love scene with Richard Gere and certain shots focusing on Vivian's legs. This fact often surprises fans who assume Roberts performed all the physical scenes herself.
5. The $250,000 Necklace Scene Was Improvised
The scene where Edward Lewis snaps the lid of the necklace box shut on Vivian's hand, causing her to let out a spontaneous, genuine laugh, was not in the script. The stunning diamond and ruby necklace was real and worth a quarter of a million dollars. Director Garry Marshall improvised the box-snapping moment to elicit a natural, unscripted reaction from Roberts, and her infectious laughter became one of the film's most beloved moments.
6. Ralph Bellamy’s Final Film Role
The legendary actor Ralph Bellamy, who played James Morse, the owner of the shipyard Edward Lewis was trying to acquire, passed away shortly after the film's release. Pretty Woman stands as his final feature film role, adding an unexpected layer of poignancy to the ensemble cast, which also included the brilliant Hector Elizondo as the hotel manager, Barney Thompson, and Jason Alexander as the slimy lawyer, Phillip Stuckey.
The Pretty Woman Legacy in 2025: Sequels and Cultural Impact
Three and a half decades later, the film’s influence is undeniable. It launched a thousand "Cinderella story" imitations and continues to be a benchmark for romantic comedies. Its 35th anniversary has sparked fresh discussions about its relevance and the possibility of a sequel.
Is 'Pretty Woman 2' Really Happening?
Despite the constant stream of fan-made trailers and rumors—some even suggesting a 2025 release on Netflix titled Pretty Woman 2: A Second Chance—there is no official, confirmed sequel in development by a major studio like Disney or its subsidiaries. Richard Gere has been open about the possibility, stating that he would only return if the script was genuinely good and warranted a follow-up. He has expressed pride in the original film's lasting impact, noting that nobody involved knew it "would become part of every culture." For now, the sequel remains a beautiful, enduring fantasy for fans.
The Enduring Cultural and Fashion Influence
The film is regularly re-examined by critics, who debate its portrayal of the sex industry and its themes of materialism. However, most agree that Julia Roberts' star power and her revolutionary portrayal of Vivian Ward—a woman who maintains her dignity and agency despite her circumstances—is what makes the film work as a modern fairy tale. It’s a fantasy about upward mobility on the streets of Beverly Hills, transforming Roberts into a modern-day Audrey Hepburn for a new generation. The film's fashion, from the brown polka-dot dress at the polo match to the knee-high boots and blonde wig, remains an iconic reference point in pop culture.
The Success of 'Pretty Woman: The Musical'
A testament to the film's lasting appeal is the success of Pretty Woman: The Musical, which is actively touring across the US and internationally in the 2024/2025 season. The musical adaptation, which features a book co-written by J.F. Lawton and Garry Marshall, allows a new generation to experience the story live, keeping the legacy of Vivian and Edward vibrant and current.
From its humble, dark beginnings as a script titled *3,000* to its current status as a celebrated 35-year-old classic, *Pretty Woman* defied all odds. It’s a movie that proves that with the right director, the perfect cast, and a little bit of Hollywood magic, even the darkest stories can be transformed into the most beloved romances.
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