Richard Gere was initially sceptical about starring in Pretty Woman — till Julia Roberts modified his thoughts.
Appearing on the newest The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, the 75-year-old actor recalled how he didn’t perceive the script or the character of rich businessman Edward Lewis when he first learn it.
“There was no character. I learn this factor, and I stated, ‘It’s not for me’” Gere defined his hesitation, admitting he discovered Edward to be “only a go well with” and therefore didn’t really feel a connection to the position.
His reluctance led to an “uncomfortable” assembly with director Garry Marshall, who was decided to persuade him. “We begin speaking in regards to the script, and I stated, ‘I simply don’t see a personality,’” Gere defined. Marshall, ever the optimist, responded, “Let’s you and me discover it.”
It wasn’t till Gere met Julia Roberts, already forged as Vivian Ward, that his reservations started to fade. He recalled his first impression of Roberts: ‘‘She’s lovely. She’s nice.”
After their assembly, Roberts wrote a notice on a Post-It saying, “Please say sure,” and slid it throughout the desk to him. “How might you say no to that,” Gere recalled considering, resulting in probably the most iconic pairings in movie historical past.
Looking again, Gere says he and the crew didn’t know Pretty Woman would change into the rom-com traditional it’s right now. “We had no thought it was gonna be what it was,” he mirrored.
Thanks to Roberts, Gere overcame his hesitation — and the movie turned an unforgettable hit.
