It is the kind of trivia question that feels too easy. Ask anyone on the street who played Pretty Woman, and they will shout "Julia Roberts" before you even finish the sentence. It’s the role that turned a 22-year-old with a big smile into the highest-paid actress in the world. But honestly? The story behind how she got the part—and how close she came to losing it—is way more chaotic than the polished Disney fairytale we see on screen.
Most people don't realize that Pretty Woman wasn't always a romantic comedy. Not even close. When the script was first circulating around Hollywood, it was a gritty, dark drama titled 3,000. The title referred to the amount of money Richard Gere’s character, Edward Lewis, paid Vivian Ward for a week of her time. In that original version, there was no red dress. There was no shopping spree on Rodeo Drive. There definitely wasn't a "happily ever after" where the knight in the white limo climbs the fire escape.
Vivian was originally written as a drug addict. The movie was supposed to end with her and her friend Kit De Luca on a bus to Disneyland, with Vivian staring blankly into space, still stuck in the cycle of poverty. It was bleak.
The Casting Carousel: Before Julia Roberts
When Disney’s Touchstone Pictures bought the script, they decided to flip the vibe. They wanted a romance. They wanted a hit. But finding the right woman to play Vivian Ward was a nightmare for director Garry Marshall. Because the role was originally so dark, many of the era's biggest stars were hesitant. Or, in some cases, the studio just didn't think they fit the new "rom-com" energy.
You’ve probably heard some of the names. Molly Ringwald was the first choice. She turned it down. She later said she didn't feel comfortable with the content, though she admitted Roberts was perfect for it. Then there was Michelle Pfeiffer, who reportedly didn't like the "tone" of the script. Daryl Hannah turned it down because she thought it was "degrading to women." Meg Ryan said no. Jennifer Connelly said no. Even Al Pacino did a screen test for the role of Edward before Richard Gere finally signed on.
Julia Roberts wasn't even the favorite. She was still relatively unknown, having just done Mystic Pizza and Steel Magnolias. In fact, when the original production company for 3,000 went bust, Julia actually lost the job she had already won. She had to audition all over again for Disney.
Why Julia Roberts Was the Only Choice
Garry Marshall often told the story of how Julia won the room. It wasn't just her height or those famous curls. It was the laugh. In a movie that deals with the sex trade—even a sanitized, Hollywood version—you need a lead who feels fundamentally "untouchable" by the grime of the situation. Julia had this weird, infectious innocence.
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When you watch the scene where the jewelry box snaps shut on her fingers, that wasn't scripted. Richard Gere did it as a prank to make her laugh. That massive, horse-like guffaw she let out was so genuine that Marshall kept it in the film. That’s the moment the audience fell in love. If who played Pretty Woman had been a more "serious" dramatic actress, that scene might have felt staged. With Julia, it felt like we were watching a real person.
The Chemistry Factor
Richard Gere was actually the one who needed convincing. He had turned the movie down several times. He thought the character of Edward was "a suit." It was just a guy standing around while the girl did all the work. Garry Marshall eventually flew Julia to New York to meet Gere in person.
They sat in his apartment, and according to Marshall, they just stared at each other. Finally, Julia slid a Post-it note across the desk to Gere. It said: "Please say yes."
He said yes.
Behind the Scenes: The Body Double Secret
Here is a bit of trivia that messes with people's heads. While Julia Roberts is the face of the movie, she isn't the whole body. Look closely at the famous movie poster—the one where she’s wearing the over-the-knee black boots and the pink-and-white cutout dress.
That isn't Julia’s body.
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The studio used a body double named Shelley Michelle for the poster. They literally Photoshopped (or the 1990 equivalent of it) Julia’s head onto Shelley’s torso. Even in the movie's opening credits, when you see Vivian getting dressed and lacing up her boots, those are Shelley Michelle’s legs. Julia is a tall woman, but the producers wanted a very specific "look" for those opening shots.
It’s a weird Hollywood quirk. The person who played Pretty Woman is an icon, but the "image" of the character was a composite.
The Cultural Impact: More Than Just a Movie
It’s hard to explain how much this movie changed the industry. Before 1990, the "hooker with a heart of gold" trope existed, but it wasn't a blockbuster formula. Pretty Woman grossed over $460 million worldwide. In today's money, that's nearly a billion dollars.
It also sparked massive debates that continue today. Critics like Gloria Steinem weren't fans. They argued the film romanticized a dangerous profession and suggested that a woman's problems could only be solved by a rich man’s credit card. On the flip side, fans argued that Vivian was the one with the power—she changed Edward, he didn't really change her. He became more human; she just got a better wardrobe and a way out.
The Fashion Legacy
We can't talk about who played the role without talking about the clothes. Marilyn Vance, the costume designer, fought for that red dress. The studio wanted it to be black. They thought black was more sophisticated. Vance insisted on red, and she was right. That dress is now one of the most famous costumes in cinematic history.
Then there’s the "polka dot" dress from the polo match. It was actually made from a bolt of fabric found in the basement of a shop. There was only enough for that one dress. If Julia had spilled coffee on it, the production would have been in major trouble.
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What Happened to the Cast?
After Pretty Woman, the lives of the actors changed forever.
- Julia Roberts: She became the "American Sweetheart." She went on to win an Oscar for Erin Brockovich and proved she could do more than just flash a smile.
- Richard Gere: He solidified his status as the ultimate silver-haired leading man. He and Julia eventually reunited for Runaway Bride in 1999, trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice.
- Hector Elizondo: He played Barney Thompson, the hotel manager. He was Garry Marshall’s "lucky charm" and appeared in every single movie Marshall ever directed. His role as the kind mentor is often cited as the real heart of the film.
- Laura San Giacomo: As Kit De Luca, she gave the movie its grounded, street-smart edge. She went on to star in the hit sitcom Just Shoot Me!.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
People often get confused about who was actually offered the role versus who just auditioned. Winona Ryder actually auditioned, but Garry Marshall turned her down because she was "too young." At the time, she was only 18, and he felt it made the relationship with Gere (who was 40) look too "predatory."
There is also a persistent rumor that Sandra Bullock was considered. While she was rising in the late 80s, she wasn't really on the radar for this specific project at the high-level casting phase. She would later dominate the rom-com genre, but Pretty Woman belonged entirely to the Roberts era.
How to Watch Pretty Woman Today
If you’re looking to revisit the film or see it for the first time, it’s almost always available on Disney+ (due to the Touchstone ownership) or for rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
When you watch it, pay attention to the scene in the park where Richard Gere is walking barefoot on the grass. He was actually suffering from a massive flu during that shoot. If you look at his eyes, he’s clearly exhausted. Meanwhile, Julia is bouncing around with 22-year-old energy. It’s a testament to their acting that you can’t tell he’s dying for a nap.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Writers
If you are a storyteller or a film buff, the history of who played Pretty Woman offers a few major lessons:
- Casting is Everything: A movie is a living thing. Had Molly Ringwald taken the role, it would have been a "Brat Pack" movie. With Julia, it became a global phenomenon.
- The "Vibe" Over the Script: Sometimes, the chemistry between two leads is more important than the logic of the plot. The "Post-it note" story proves that.
- Refusal is Power: Many actresses turned this down because it was controversial. While it worked out for Julia, the actresses who said "no" based on their principles (like Daryl Hannah) helped shape the conversation about how women are portrayed in film.
- Check the Credits: Always look for the character actors. Hector Elizondo’s performance is a masterclass in how a supporting character can elevate a whole film.
The next time you see that iconic poster or hear the Roy Orbison song start to play, you’ll know it wasn't just a lucky break. It was a series of "nos," a dark script that got a facelift, and a young woman from Georgia who had a laugh that couldn't be ignored. Julia Roberts didn't just play Vivian Ward; she redefined what a movie star looked like for the next thirty years.
To truly appreciate the performance, watch the "Big Mistake. Huge!" scene again. Notice how she doesn't just play it angry; she plays it with a sense of satisfied dignity. That nuance is exactly why, thirty-five years later, we are still talking about her.