10 things you never knew about Pretty Woman…

Garry Marshall’s 1990 movie ‘Pretty Woman’ is one of the most popular romantic comedies of all time.

It tells the story of businessman Edward Lewis who hires working girl Vivian Ward to keep him company during a week-long business trip to Los Angeles, only for the pair to fall madly in love with one another.

You may have seen this movie several times but do you know the behind-the-scenes secrets?

Secrets about Vivian and Edward’s love story!

Garry Marshall’s 1990 movie ‘Pretty Woman’ is one of the most popular romantic comedies of all time. It tells the story of businessman Edward Lewis who hires working girl Vivian Ward to keep him company during a week-long business trip to Los Angeles, only for the pair to fall madly in love with one another. You may have seen this movie several times but do you know the behind-the-scenes secrets?

1. The story behind the 1989 Lotus Esprit

The film’s director wanted Edward to drive a foreign car, which is why the businessman is seen behind the wheel of a 1989 Lotus Esprit. But why was this particular car chosen? At some point, German and Italian car manufacturers Porsche and Ferrari were contacted, but they declined the offer as they didn’t want their firms to be associated with a film about a working girl. That’s when representatives of British company Lotus made an offer, which paid off for the manufacturers. According to Fox News, Lotus Esprit sales rocketed in the United States, following Pretty Woman’s premiere.

2. Who else could have played Vivian?

Julia Roberts earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her portrayal of Vivian. However, there were several other actresses up for the part, including Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock, Molly Ringwald and Jennifer Connelly.

3. Who else could have played Edward?

Richard Gere was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for his portrayal of businessman Edward, but Mr. Lewis could’ve been played by Christopher Reeve, Al Pacino, Denzel Washington or Daniel Day-Lewis.

4. Julia convinced Richard to take the part

Exactly how did Gere land the part? Turns out it was Roberts who convinced him to accept the role, just when he was ready to turn it down. Both Gere and Roberts recalled the moment during an appearance on ‘Today.’ He said: “We loved each other immediately. It was a nice thing. But to be honest, I didn’t know if I was doing this movie yet. She’s across from my desk, we’re getting to know each other, we’re flirty-flirty, nice-nice, it’s all going [well], and [director Gary Marshall] calls up and is kind of like, ‘How’s it going?’ And I’m going, ‘Yeah, yeah…’ She’s across from the desk and she takes a piece of paper and she’s writing something on it.” Julia then added that it was a post-it note. Gere continued: “You remember more than I do. And she turns it around and she pushes it to me, and it said, ‘Please say yes.’ It was so sweet, and after that I just said yes.”

5. A different title

‘Pretty Woman’ was initially meant to have a different title – ‘$3,000,’ the weekly amount Vivian charges Edward for accompanying him. However, bosses at distributor Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Inc – part of Disney – insisted the name be changed as it sounded like a science-fiction flick.

6. It marked Hank Azaria’s debut as an actor

Hank Azaria, 59, is famous for voicing multiple characters in ‘The Simpsons.’ Since 1989, Azaria has voiced barkeeper Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum and Professor Frink, among others, as well as formerly voicing shopkeeper Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. But did you know that he made his debut as an actor in ‘Pretty Woman,’ playing Detective Albertson? Following the film’s success, he then appeared in other movies like ‘Heat,’ ‘Godzilla,’ ‘Along Came Polly’ and more recently lending his voice to villain Gargamel in ‘The Smurfs’.

7. It features a Garry Marshall cameo

Late director Garry Marshall – whose filmography also includes ‘The Princess Diaries’, ‘Beaches’ and ‘Runaway Bride’ – had a cameo in his own movie. He did the voiceover featured in the scene where a man digs through the trash, outside a property supposedly owned by Sylvester Stallone. The filmmaker sadly passed at age 81, on July 19, 2019, due to complications of pneumonia, after having a stroke.

8. Julia Roberts had a body double

The love scenes that involved the need for some flesh were filmed by Julia’s body double Shelley Michelle. And Shelley’s legs and figure were also used in the movie’s promotional poster. She has also filled in for Kim Basinger, substituting the latter’s arms and legs in the 1988 film ‘My Stepmother is an Alien.’ Kim’s representatives, however, have denied the use of a double in the movie.

9. The meaning of Verdi’s La traviata

In one scene Edward takes Vivian to the opera, and together they enjoy ‘La traviata,’ Vivian’s first experience of the theatre form. Based on Alexandre Dumas’ 1848 novel ‘La Dame aux Camélias,’ Giuseppe Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’ was released in 1853, telling the story of a powerful sex worker from Paris, named Violetta. Julia’s character’s does not only have the same occupation as Violetta. In fact, they have another thing in common: they both fall for a wealthy man!

10. What are Vivian and Edward now?

In 2023 Julia Roberts appeared on TV show ‘CBS Mornings’ to promote her movie ‘Leave the World Behind,’ directed by Sam Esmail. During the interview, the 56-year-old actress was asked to provide a theory on what happened to Vivian. Roberts believes that Edward would have passed away by now, leaving his widow to run his business empire. She said: “I think he passed away peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack, smiling. And now she runs his business.”