The original screenplay for the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, was significantly darker than the final film, envisioning a far more tragic fate for the character Vivian Ward, played by Roberts. Initially, the script depicted Vivian as a drug addict, a stark contrast to the “woman of the world” ultimately portrayed on screen.
Patricia Arquette reportedly auditioned for the role of Vivian before Roberts was cast, and found the initial dialogue and characterization to be considerably grittier. According to reports from Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, the early script presented a much bleaker outlook for Vivian.
Julia Roberts herself revealed that an alternate ending considered for the film involved Edward Lewis (Gere) ejecting Vivian from his car, throwing money at her, and driving away. Roberts expressed discomfort with this conclusion, prompting a substantial rewrite just three days before production began. “It was really shocking to me,” she said, describing the last-minute change as “completely out of the blue.”
The shift in tone proved pivotal to the film’s success. Pretty Woman ultimately grossed $463.4 million worldwide on a $14 million budget, becoming one of the most successful romantic comedies of all time. The film’s impact extended beyond box office numbers, contributing to a change in the portrayal of female characters within the genre, moving away from solely depicting them as passive partners or vulnerable figures.
Richard Gere recently discussed the film during a masterclass at the 81st Venice Film Festival, jokingly stating that he and Roberts had “no chemistry.” He also noted that his character, Edward Lewis, was “criminally underwritten,” essentially defined by his appearance and profession. Despite these observations, Gere expressed surprise at the film’s widespread appeal, describing it as a “little tiny movie” that unexpectedly resonated with audiences.
The film’s title, Pretty Woman, is derived from the 1964 Roy Orbison song “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Directed by Garry Marshall, the film also featured Héctor Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy in his final film role, Laura San Giacomo, and Jason Alexander.