Richard Gere Almost Turned Down ‘Pretty Woman’ Role
Richard Gere Almost Said No to ‘pretty Woman’
Hollywood Icon Reveals He Initially Didn’t See Himself in the Iconic Role
Richard Gere, the star of countless romantic comedies, almost walked away from one of his most iconic roles: Edward Lewis in the 1990 blockbuster “Pretty Woman.”
In a recent episode of the “Awards Chatter” podcast, Gere revealed his initial hesitation about taking on the part. “I didn’t get it at first,” gere admitted.”There wasn’t a character there. So I read the script and thought, ‘This isn’t for me. it’s a suit that’s in the movie. I wouldn’t mind seeing the movie, but I don’t see myself doing it.'”
Despite his reservations, Gere eventually met wiht director Garry Marshall. “We started talking about the script, and I said, ‘Listen, I just don’t see a character,'” Gere recalled. marshall’s response? “Let’s find one together, you and me.”
This collaborative approach convinced Gere to meet Julia Roberts, who was already cast as Vivian. Gere explained that Marshall called his office just 45 minutes into the meeting to inquire about his impression of Roberts. “I said, ‘She’s adorable. She’s great,'” Gere recounted. “And while I’m talking to him, she takes a Post-it note from my desk and writes something on it. Then she slides it across the table to me, and it says, ‘Please say yes.'”
How could Gere refuse?
“We ended up really trying to find a character that fit the structure and that fit the essence of what this piece was to make it sincere, charming, funny, sexy, you see?” Gere said. “And we all loved each other. We had great trust, we had a great time, and we had no idea it was going to be what it became.”
“Pretty Woman” became a global phenomenon, grossing nearly half a billion dollars at the box office. Both gere and roberts received Golden Globe nominations for their performances, with Roberts taking home the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
Richard Gere: “Pretty Woman” Almost Wasn’t
Hollywood icon Richard Gere reveals he nearly turned down his iconic role as Edward lewis in the 1990 blockbuster “Pretty Woman.”
Speaking on the “Awards Chatter” podcast, Gere admitted he initially saw no depth to the character. “I didn’t get it at first. There wasn’t a character there,” he confessed. “So I read the script and thought, ‘This isn’t for me. It’s a suit that’s in the movie. I wouldn’t mind seeing the movie, but I don’t see myself doing it.'”
A meeting with director Garry Marshall changed Gere’s mind. “We started talking about the script, and I said, ‘Listen, I just don’t see a character,’ ” Gere recalled. Marshall’s response was “let’s find one together, you and me.”
This collaboration, combined with meeting Julia Roberts, who was already cast as Vivian, sealed the deal. Gere recounted Marshall calling just 45 minutes into their meeting, inquiring about Roberts. “I said, ‘She’s adorable. she’s great,'” Gere shared.”And while I’m talking to him, she takes a Post-it note from my desk and writes something on it. Than she slides it across the table to me, and it says, ‘please say yes.'”
Together,Gere,Roberts and Marshall crafted a nuanced character that resonated with audiences worldwide. “We ended up really trying to find a character that fit the structure and that fit the essence of what this piece was to make it sincere, charming, funny, sexy, you see?” Gere explained. ”And we all loved each other. We had great trust, we had a great time, and we had no idea it was going to be what it became.”
“Pretty Woman” became a global sensation, grossing almost half a billion dollars and earning both Gere and Roberts Golden Globe nominations. Roberts took home the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.