Who was originally offered the role in Pretty Woman?
Pretty Woman could have starred Molly Ringwald instead of Julia Roberts. Find out what Molly said about the film in a recent interview. More than 30 years ago, Molly Ringwald made a decision that many aspiring actors would consider a big mistake. Huge.
Molly Ringwald turned down the lead role in "Pretty Woman" because she thought the story was "icky." "Julia Roberts was wonderful in it," Ringwald said in a recent interview with The Guardian. In 2012, Ringwald said she was in casting talks in the film's early stages, but didn't recall turning it down.
It's hard to imagine anyone playing the part of Vivian other than Julia herself but she wasn't the director's first choice of actress. In fact, Meg Ryan was offered the role and turned it down. Kim Basinger, Melanie Griffith and Sarah Jessica Parker were also offered the part before Julia.
Although Pretty Woman is now one of the most popular romantic comedies in the world, the original screenplay did not have a happy ending. In the version written by J.F. Lawton, the relationship between Vivian (Julia Roberts) and Edward (Richard Gere) was not a romantic story between two people at odds with each other.
‘Pretty Woman’ Cast Reunites 25 Years Later | TODAY
Who made Pretty Woman famous?
Roy Orbison's “Oh, Pretty Woman” (often erroneously referred to as just “Pretty Woman”) was recorded in 1964 and was added to the National Registry in 2007. It was written by Orbison and his long-time co-writer Bill Dees.
The Director's Cut of "Pretty Woman" features additional dialogue during the first encounter of Edward and Vivian; additonal scenes featuring Carlos the pimp chasing after Vivian for the money Kit owes him; a longer restaurant sequence, and a longer montage of scenes when Edward takes the day off from work to spend ...
Molly Ringwald, notable for her hit coming-of-age '80s films such as The Breakfast Club and 16 Candles, was offered the part of Vivian in a bid to break the high school mould. “I don't specifically remember turning it down,” she began, before acknowledging that Pretty Woman was made for Roberts.
John Travolta was originally offered the role of Forrest Gump, but turned it down to work on Pulp Fiction. Despite turning down roles in successful movies like Forrest Gump, Travolta doesn't feel any regret and is not bitter about his career trajectory.
Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve, Daniel Day-Lewis, Kevin Kline, and Denzel Washington for the role of Edward, and Albert Brooks, Sylvester Stallone, Al Pacino and Burt Reynolds turned it down.
Julia Roberts became a major star after starring in 1990's Pretty Woman, but the role of Vivian was originally offered to Molly Ringwald. Molly, who is best known for Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink, revealed in a new interview that she turned the lead role down, and shared the reason why.
Many actresses were in the running for the part as casting director Dori Zuckerman recalled. Laura Dern, Demi Moore, Marisa Tomei, Anabelle Sciorra, Lorraine Bracco, Michelle Pfeiffer, Valeria Golino, Patricia Arquette, and Mary Steenburgen all either came in or considered.
Actor-Shared Background: Vivian states that she was originally from Georgia and she has a mild Southern accent (notably in her "well, color me happy!" line the first time she is in the elevator).
Celebrated American actor Richard Gere boasts a formidable net worth of $120 million. Renowned for his performances in iconic films like “Pretty Woman,” “An Officer and a Gentleman,” and “Chicago,” Gere's enduring influence on Hollywood is undeniable.
But although Roberts did ultimately say yes to "Notting Hill," she revealed on "Watch What Happens Live" in 2023 that she turned down another romantic comedy: 1998's "You've Got Mail," released the year before. She has no regrets about passing on this or any other film, though, because "it's all kind of destiny."
At the time of Notting Hill, Hugh was 38, and was still married to Elizabeth Hurley. In 2023, he is 62. Hugh Grant has been married to Swedish television producer Anna Eberstein since 2018.
Hugh Grant reportedly earned $7.5 million to star opposite Julia Roberts in the 1999 romantic comedy hit Notting Hill. Grant and Roberts apparently did not get along behind the scenes of the movie, which has been attributed to Grant's tendency to comment bluntly on his female co-stars' appearances.
Molly Ringwald Says She Turned Down Julia Roberts' Role in 'Pretty Woman': “I Didn't Really Like the Story” The actress is also detailing what it was like navigating stardom, saying, "I just wasn't cut out for it in a way that certain other people are."
“It was going to be a much darker film called '$3,000,' ” Roberts, 56, said, referring to the amount it cost Edward (played by Richard Gere) to spend the night with Vivian Ward.
Pretty Woman's original script had a darker ending, contrasting with the feel-good conclusion audiences are familiar with. The original ending saw Edward and Vivian separate, and Vivian use the money to take Kit on a vacation.
If you liked "Pretty Woman" with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, you'll be intrigued by Verdi's "La Traviata." A dying Violetta Valéry (Cecilia Violetta López) sings "Addio del passato" ("Farewell, carefree dreams of the past") toward the end of Verdi's "La Traviata."
