We are back!! This Rewind Wednesday is a doozy! I had to consult with some of my other fellow movie buffs to see what we would reveal this week. And I think I got one for ya!! Pretty Woman which made its debut in 1990 is one of thse films that probably everyone can relate too in some sort of fashion.
Pretty Woman was initially intended to be a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles but was reconceptualized into a romantic comedy. The film was a critical success and became one of 1990's highest grossing films, and today is one of the most financially successful entries in the romantic comedy genre, with an estimated gross of $464 million USD.
Casting of Pretty Woman was a rather lengthy process. Garry Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve for the role of Lewis, and Al Pacino turned it down. Pacino went as far as doing a casting reading with Roberts before turning the leading role down. Gere agreed to the project. Now after reading about this next part my jaw dropped, Julia Roberts was far from the first choice for the role of Vivian. Many successful A-list actresses including Molly Ringwald (turned it down because she felt uncomfortable with the content in the script, and did not like the idea of playing a prostitute). In several interviews that she would later state that she "regrets turning the role down." Even Meg Ryan was a top choice of Marshall's (Director), turned it down. Some others included Michelle Pfeiffer who would turn the role down as well, because she did not like the "tone" of the script. And lastly Daryl Hannah was considered, but turned the role down because she believed it was "degrading to women". Interestingly enough, When all the other actresses turned down the role, Julia Roberts, who was relatively unknown at the time, with the exception of the film Steel Magnolias, was able to win the role.
Many movies have paralleled from this original to make it more interesting for various audiences. The Princess Diaries (1 and 2) as well as the television series Ugly Betty have stemmed off from this timeless movie.
I can definitely say that Pretty Woman is one of the better romantic comedies made and definitely one to watch again... And again.... And maybe again lol.
"Who knew it was so much fun to be a hooker?... She walked off the street, into his life and stole his heart."
Pretty Woman was initially intended to be a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles but was reconceptualized into a romantic comedy. The film was a critical success and became one of 1990's highest grossing films, and today is one of the most financially successful entries in the romantic comedy genre, with an estimated gross of $464 million USD.
Casting of Pretty Woman was a rather lengthy process. Garry Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve for the role of Lewis, and Al Pacino turned it down. Pacino went as far as doing a casting reading with Roberts before turning the leading role down. Gere agreed to the project. Now after reading about this next part my jaw dropped, Julia Roberts was far from the first choice for the role of Vivian. Many successful A-list actresses including Molly Ringwald (turned it down because she felt uncomfortable with the content in the script, and did not like the idea of playing a prostitute). In several interviews that she would later state that she "regrets turning the role down." Even Meg Ryan was a top choice of Marshall's (Director), turned it down. Some others included Michelle Pfeiffer who would turn the role down as well, because she did not like the "tone" of the script. And lastly Daryl Hannah was considered, but turned the role down because she believed it was "degrading to women". Interestingly enough, When all the other actresses turned down the role, Julia Roberts, who was relatively unknown at the time, with the exception of the film Steel Magnolias, was able to win the role.
Many movies have paralleled from this original to make it more interesting for various audiences. The Princess Diaries (1 and 2) as well as the television series Ugly Betty have stemmed off from this timeless movie.
I can definitely say that Pretty Woman is one of the better romantic comedies made and definitely one to watch again... And again.... And maybe again lol.
"Who knew it was so much fun to be a hooker?... She walked off the street, into his life and stole his heart."
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