Richard Gere Reveals He Was Initially Hesitant To Star In Pretty Woman With Julia Roberts: ‘It’s Not For Me’

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As a dedicated follower and ardent movie enthusiast, I can confidently say that Richard Gere’s journey with Pretty Woman is nothing short of a cinematic miracle. His initial apprehension towards the role of Edward Lewis, a character he perceived as shallow and one-dimensional, was understandable given his illustrious career and penchant for depth in characters. However, it was Julia Roberts, that Post-It note heroine, who swooped in to save the day, or rather, the movie.

Richard Gere shares insights on his near-refusal of the iconic role he played in the beloved 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman, opposite Julia Roberts. In the movie, he portrayed Edward, a wealthy businessman who initially hires Vivian (Roberts), a sex worker, and their relationship blossoms into romance as they face complications along the way.

In my line of work as a lifestyle expert, I can honestly say that not every role I’m offered resonates immediately. Such was the case when I first heard about the project involving my character, Edward Lewis. At face value, I didn’t see much depth in him; he seemed more like a superficially charming character than a fully-fleshed individual.

In simpler terms, Gere expressed, “I feel incredibly proud of that film and the way we crafted it. Not just proud, but grateful as well because it opened up many other opportunities for me.

His reservations about taking up the role extended to his first meeting with director Garry Marshall. Gere told Marshall that he was not comfortable with the character. He said, “There was no character. So, I read this thing, and I said, ‘It’s not for me.'”

In our collaborative journey, I promised him we’d breathe life beyond the typical wealthy, suited figure into this character, transforming him into a dynamic and multidimensional persona.

The pivotal moment arrived when Gere crossed paths with Julia Roberts. It was a small Post-It note she wrote to him, asking him to take on the role, that ultimately persuaded him to be part of the legendary movie—and history was made from there. Later, Gere shared his thoughts on how the team collaborated to create depth and charm in Edward’s character, making him more identifiable and intricate.

He explained, “Ultimately, we were striving to create a character fitting the framework and spirit of the story. We aimed to make it endearing, delightful, amusing, attractive – you understand? And we genuinely cared for one another. There was immense trust, we enjoyed the process immensely, and none of us knew that it would turn out as special as it did.

Richard Gere reflects fondly, filled with pride and appreciation, on the project. The film’s unexpected triumph and the priceless moments spent alongside Julia Roberts and the entire crew remain close to his heart.

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2024-12-13 15:23