32 years ago, a romantic comedy called “Pretty Woman” premiered, capturing the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide. Julia Roberts, who played the spirited and direct Vivian Ward, became an overnight sensation, while her on-screen partner Richard Gere cemented his reputation as a sex symbol. However, few people know that Gere initially refused to star in the film.
When director Harry Marshall sent him the script, Gere was not impressed with the story. He thought that the character of Edward Lewis was dull and uninteresting. Despite the producer’s best efforts to persuade him, offering him enormous fees and promising to change the plot, Gere remained stubborn and declined the offer.
But then something unexpected happened. Harry Marshall decided to bring in Julia Roberts, hoping that her charm would persuade Gere to change his mind. The two actors met and talked all evening, and Richard began to reconsider his decision.
When Gere returned home, he found a note that Julia had slipped into his pocket. The note read, “Say yes, please.” Her clever move won Richard over, and he agreed to take on the role. The film turned out to be a box-office smash, receiving numerous nominations for various awards, from the Oscars to the Golden Globes.
It’s hard to imagine “Pretty Woman” without the chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, but things could have been very different. If not for Julia’s clever move, we may have never witnessed one of the most iconic on-screen couples of all time.
