Pretty Woman captured viewers’ hearts when it hit screens 35 years ago. And still, nearly four decades later, the 1990 romcom is without doubt the most loved movie to this day.

The little known Pretty Woman facts that will blow your mind: 10 secrets of the iconic romcom 35 years after the movie's release - including the actress who nearly replaced Julia Roberts! |

Julia Roberts, 57, who was 22 at the time when she played sex worker Vivien Ward, and the then 40-year-old Richard Geré, 71, who starred as billionaire businessman Edward Lewis, originally raised eyebrows with their very large age gap.

Vivian, who was hired by Edward, ended up falling in love after he initially hired her to accompany him to some social events.

The pair loved filming the movie that much they went onto star in another romcom together in the 1999 movie, Runaway Bride.

However, Julia and Richard weren’t always the front runners to take the lead roles as multiple Hollywood A-listers also auditioned for the part.

But what are the other little-known facts of Pretty Woman? Here, MailOnline reveals 10 secrets of the iconic romcom that will blow your mind.

Pretty Woman captured viewers' hearts when it hit screens 35 years ago, thanks too Julia Roberts, who played Vivien Ward, and Richard Geré, who starred as Edward Lewis
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Pretty Woman captured viewers’ hearts when it hit screens 35 years ago, thanks too Julia Roberts, who played Vivien Ward, and Richard Geré, who starred as Edward Lewis

But what are the other little-known facts of Pretty Woman? Here, MailOnline reveals 10 secrets of the iconic romcom that will blow your mind
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But what are the other little-known facts of Pretty Woman? Here, MailOnline reveals 10 secrets of the iconic romcom that will blow your mind

1. Pretty Woman was originally called $3000

The 90s movie was originally intended to be called $3000 – the same amount of money Edward and Vivian agreed on to spend a night with him.

Speaking about the movie on The Graham Norton show in 2023, Julia said: ‘It was going to be a much darker film called $3,000.

‘Vivian was a drug addict and the movie ended with him leaving her in a side street, throwing the money at her, and driving away.’

The 90s movie was originally intended to be called $3000 - the same amount of money Edward and Vivian agreed on to spend a night with him
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The 90s movie was originally intended to be called $3000 – the same amount of money Edward and Vivian agreed on to spend a night with him

2. Julia was nearly replaced

During casting, Julia wasn’t always the front runner to play Vivien.

Drew Barrymore, 50, and Winona Ryder, 53, auditioned for the role of Vivian but were rejected because they were too young at the time.

Thankful for being several years older, Julia got the part and went onto star in the world’s most loved movie.

Drew pictured in February
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Winona pictured in 2024
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Drew Barrymore, 50, and Winona Ryder, 53, auditioned for the role of Vivian but were rejected because they were too young at the time

3. Richard wasn’t always the chosen one

Like Julia, Richard wasn’t always the chosen man to play the rich businessman.

Sean Connery, who died in 2020, Al Pacino, 84, and Burt Reynolds were equally considered for the role of Edward.

Al reportedly turned down the role of Edward because he felt he ‘wasn’t the right actor for it’ after a screen test with Julia.

Before his death in 2018, Burt was asked why he too turned down the role in the movie – admitting ‘because I’m an idiot’.

Like Julia, Richard wasn't always the chosen man to play the rich businessman. Sean Connery, Al Pacino, 84, and Burt Reynolds were equally considered for the role of Edward
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Like Julia, Richard wasn’t always the chosen man to play the rich businessman. Sean Connery, Al Pacino, 84, and Burt Reynolds were equally considered for the role of Edward

4. Demi Moore turned down the role of Vivian’s best friend

Award-winning actress Demi Moore, 62, reportedly turned down the role of Vivian’s best friend Kit, according to Heat magazine.

Demi and a host of other stars including Laura Dern, Marisa Tomei, Anabelle Sciorra, Lorraine Bracco and Mary Steenburgen all either came in or considered to be casted in the movie.

Award-winning actress Demi Moore, 62, reportedly turned down the role of Vivian's best friend Kit, according to Heat magazine
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Award-winning actress Demi Moore, 62, reportedly turned down the role of Vivian’s best friend Kit, according to Heat magazine

5. Julia and Richard had an 18-year age gap

The actors’ 18-year gap raised some eyebrows when the film was first released.

Richard, 71, was 40 years old at the time he played Edward, while Julia, now 57, was 22.

Julia had one condition for playing the sex worker in the movie – not stripping off for naked scenes.

When she first met director Garry Marshall about playing Vivian in pre-production, she was 21 at the time.

During their meeting, she insisted: ‘I won’t be naked’.

The actors' 18-year gap raised eyebrows when the film was first released. Richard, 71, was 40 years old at the time he played Edward, while Julia, now 57, was 22 (pictured together in 2015)
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The actors’ 18-year gap raised eyebrows when the film was first released. Richard, 71, was 40 years old at the time he played Edward, while Julia, now 57, was 22 (pictured together in 2015)

Julia had one condition for playing the sex worker in the movie - not stripping off for naked scenes
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Julia had one condition for playing the sex worker in the movie – not stripping off for naked scenes

6. Richard actually plays the piano

While he is renowned for his acting skills, Richard is also very talented with various instruments.

Not only did he actually play the piano in the hotel bar scene, its a piece he composed himself.

As well as his acting and piano talents, he can also play the guitar and trumpet.

Not only did Richard actually play the piano in the hotel bar scene, its a piece he composed himself
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Not only did Richard actually play the piano in the hotel bar scene, its a piece he composed himself

7. The snail scene is also in the Princess Diaries films

In the iconic dinner scene where Vivien flings a snail across the room in the fancy restaurant and the waiter catches it – it was actually director Garry who threw it.

The waiter says: ‘It happens all the time.’

Garry, who died in 2016, put the same scene into the Princess Diaries films – which he directed.

In both of the films, a waiter is given the same line and role of catching the snail.

In the iconic dinner scene where Vivien flings a snail across the room in the fancy restaurant and the waiter catches it - it was actually director Garry who threw it
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In the iconic dinner scene where Vivien flings a snail across the room in the fancy restaurant and the waiter catches it – it was actually director Garry who threw it

Garry, who died in 2016, put the same scene into the Princess Diaries films - which he directed (Anne Hathaway pictured in Princess Diaries)
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Garry, who died in 2016, put the same scene into the Princess Diaries films – which he directed (Anne Hathaway pictured in Princess Diaries)

In both of the films, a waiter is given the same line and role of catching the snail, saying 'It happens all the time.'
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In both of the films, a waiter is given the same line and role of catching the snail, saying ‘It happens all the time.’

8. Edward improvised the jewellery box scene

In the heart-warming scene which sees Edward give Vivien the dazzling necklace, he jokingly snaps the jewellery box on her hand when she goes to touch it.

But it turns out the scene wasn’t actually scripted – it was just Richard’s last minute improvisation.

The funny scene, which has been loved and copied by many, was a pure reaction from Julia.

In the scene which sees Edward give Vivien the dazzling necklace, he jokingly snaps the jewellery box on her hand - it turns out the scene was just Richard's last minute improvisation
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In the scene which sees Edward give Vivien the dazzling necklace, he jokingly snaps the jewellery box on her hand – it turns out the scene was just Richard’s last minute improvisation

9. The necklace cost $250,000

The exact dazzling necklace, which Richard almost shut Julia’s hand inside, cost a whopping $250,000 (£193,658).

While filming the scene, a security guard had to keep all eyes on the necklace on set at all times.

The guard was said to be constantly standing behind the director to made sure the necklace – from an unknown jewellery store – didn’t go missing.

The exact dazzling necklace, which Richard almost shut Julia's hand inside, cost a whopping $250,000 (£193,658)
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The exact dazzling necklace, which Richard almost shut Julia’s hand inside, cost a whopping $250,000 (£193,658)

The movie was never meant to be a romcom, it was intended to be a dark tale of class and sex work in Los Angeles
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The movie was never meant to be a romcom, it was intended to be a dark tale of class and sex work in Los Angeles

10. It was never meant to be a romcom

The movie was never meant to be a romcom, it was intended to be a dark tale of class and sex work in Los Angeles.

After the production company folded and the film disappeared, Disney picked up the movie and made it more romantic and humorous.

After going over the previous script idea, Julia admitted she ‘had no business being in a movie like that’ in a 2019 chat.

She added, ‘There was one producer that stayed with the script and then it went to Disney. And I went, “went to Disney? Are they gonna animate it? How does this become a Disney movie?”‘