The Reason Richard Gere First Refused to Accept the “Pretty Woman” Role

Richard Gere recently shared some behind-the-scenes details about the making of Pretty Woman on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. Despite the film becoming one of his most iconic roles, Gere initially felt unsure about the character of Edward Lewis and the script itself. He admitted that he didn’t understand the character at first, feeling like there was “no character” and that Edward was “just a suit.”

Gere was also hesitant about meeting with director Garry Marshall, as he didn’t want to take on the role. However, during their meeting, Marshall convinced him to work together on developing the character, and after talking with Julia Roberts, who played Vivian, the chemistry began to form. Gere recalls a moment when Roberts wrote a note on a Post-It saying, “Please say yes,” which made it difficult for him to decline the role.

He expressed pride and gratitude for the movie, noting how it led to new opportunities in his career. The collaboration with the cast and director, along with the unexpected success of the film, left Gere with fond memories of making Pretty Woman.