Pretty Woman is one of the most iconic romantic comedies of all time, beloved by millions for its charming storyline, unforgettable characters, and fairy-tale ending. Starring Julia Roberts as the lovable Vivian Ward and Richard Gere as the wealthy businessman Edward Lewis, the film has become a classic since its release in 1990. But even after all these years, Pretty Woman still holds surprising secrets that many fans are just now discovering. One of the most shocking revelations is a giant blooper that slipped past everyone’s radar until recently. Despite countless viewings by devoted fans, no one seemed to catch it. Now that it’s been spotted, people can’t believe they missed it for so long. But this blooper isn’t the only behind-the-scenes secret that makes Pretty Woman even more fascinating.
Take the movie’s promotional poster, for example. At first glance, it features Julia Roberts flashing her signature smile, standing back-to-back with Richard Gere in his slick suit. However, what most people don’t realize is that the body on the poster isn’t actually Julia’s. The design team superimposed Julia Roberts’ face onto the body of professional body double Shelley Michelle. Meanwhile, Richard Gere’s hair was also digitally altered, darkened to give the poster a more dramatic look. It’s a clever example of movie marketing that fooled audiences for years. Only recently have fans learned the truth, adding another surprising fact to the long list of Pretty Woman trivia.
But the surprises don’t stop there. Pretty Woman is known today as a feel-good romantic comedy, but it wasn’t always intended to be so lighthearted. The original script painted a much darker picture of Vivian’s life. In the early drafts, Vivian was battling a cocaine addiction, and the storyline was far more tragic than the fairy-tale romance we’re familiar with. The film’s original ending didn’t involve love and happily ever after. Instead, Vivian and Edward went their separate ways, leaving Vivian heartbroken and alone on a bus ride back to her troubled life. It was a gritty and realistic take on life on the streets. However, when Disney purchased the script and brought in director Garry Marshall, they decided to transform the film into the romantic comedy that captured hearts worldwide. Without that shift in tone, Pretty Woman might never have become the beloved classic it is today.
Another little-known fact involves one of the most memorable scenes in the film. Everyone remembers the moment when Edward presents Vivian with a stunning diamond necklace to wear with her elegant red evening gown. But did you know that necklace was actually real and worth a whopping $250,000?
Because of its value, the jewelry came with an armed security guard who stood by during filming to make sure it stayed safe. During this scene, Richard Gere snapped the jewelry box shut on Julia Roberts’ fingers as a playful joke. Julia’s laugh in response was completely genuine, and director Garry Marshall loved the spontaneous moment so mucharming and iconic moments.
And then there’s the music. Roxette’s hit song “It Must Have Been Love” became an anthem for Pretty Woman, playing during one of the most emotional moments in the movie. Surprisingly, the song wasn’t originally intended to be part of the soundtrack. Garry Marshall decided to add it during post-production, and it ended up being the perfect choice to highlight the heartbreak and longing between Vivian and Edward in their temporary goodbye. The song’s powerful emotion helped elevate the scene and remains forever associated with the film’s story.
These hidden details and behind-the-scenes decisions reveal just how much work went into creating Pretty Woman as we know it. From reworking the script to last-minute musical choices and clever poster tricks, the film’s history is as intriguing as the story it tells on screen. Now, with this giant blooper finally being noticed, fans have yet another reason to rewatch the movie and catch all the little things they might have missed before. If you enjoyed learning about these surprising facts, feel free to share them with your family, friends, and anyone who loves this classic film. Sometimes it’s the little details that make us appreciate a movie even more. Thanks for supporting content like this, and next time you watch Pretty Woman, you’ll have a whole new perspective on this iconic film.
