Richard Ger almost didn’t play the role in the iconic film ‘Pretty Woman’.
Gere, 75, who starred opposite Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy, opened up about why he initially didn’t connect with the script.
Initially, Gere admitted that he “didn’t understand” his role as the suave and wealthy businessman Edward Lewis.
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Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in a scene from the 1990 film “Pretty Woman.” (Buena Vista/Getty Images)
“There was no character,” Gere explained on “The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatterpodcast. “I read this and said, ‘It’s not for me.'”
At the time, Gere considered his “Pretty Woman” character to be “just a suit.”
‘The Agency’ actor added that he had an “awkward” meeting with director Garry Marshall as he had made up his mind and did not want to be part of the film.
Julia Roberts stars with Richard Gere in ‘Pretty Woman,’ the film that made her a star. (AP images)
However, after their meeting he switched gears.
“We started talking about the script and I said, ‘Look, I just don’t see a character,’” he began to explain.
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After Gere initially turned down the role, Marshall convinced him by saying, “Let you and I find it,” Gere recalled.
Richard Gere said he initially “didn’t understand” his role as Edward Lewis and viewed the character as “just a suit”. (Buena Vista/Getty Images)
Roberts, who famously played the role of prostitute Vivian Wardhad already been cast in “Pretty Woman.” Marshall arranged a meeting between the two for Gere to give his impression of Roberts.
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“I said, ‘She’s cute. She’s great.’ And while I’m talking to him, she takes a post-it note from my desk and writes something on it. Then she slides it across the table to me and it says, ‘Please say yes.’ So how can you say no to that?” Ger said.
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“In the end, we were really trying to find a character that made sense within the structure and essence of what that piece was,” he said.
“To make it sincere, to make it charming, to make it fun, to make it sexy… we all loved each other. Great trust, we had a great time, and we had no idea it would become what it was.”
Richard Gere said he is “so proud” of “Pretty Woman” and the “work process we did to make that movie.” (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
The 1990 classic has been adored by fans since its release. Roberts earned her second Academy Award nomination for her role as Vivian. Gere and Roberts also reunited on screen for the 1999 film “Runaway Bride.”
Gere said that starring in “Pretty Woman” was one of his projects that he had been nurturing for years.
“I’m so proud of that movie and proud of the work process we did to make that movie,” Gere said. “And I’m not only proud, I’m also grateful for that film, because it allowed me to do a lot of other things.”
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