PremiumPretty Woman on OTT: Julia Roberts-led romantic drama leaving Netflix soon
If Pretty Woman ranks high on your list of must-watch movies, this might be a good time for a rewatch.
Last Updated: 10.35 PM, May 31, 2024
A romantic drama that never ages and merits multiple rewatches is the Julia Roberts-led Pretty Woman. Garry Marshal’s romantic drama that paired her with Richard Gere is a Valentine’s Day must-watch. The 1990 film’s long-stint on Netflix, though, is coming to an end, and unless renewed, a rewatch may not be on the cards soon. In less than a month, Pretty Woman will leave Netflix, with the last day to watch being June 22.
Pretty Woman, which revolves around an escort, Vivian Ward (Roberts) and her relationship with wealthy businessman Edward Lewis (Gere), going way beyond a one-night stand, catapulted the actress to superstardom. It also earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and an Oscar nomination.
The role, incidentally, was not meant for Roberts initially. Actresses like Karen Allen, Molly Ringwald, Emily Lloyd, Meg Ryan, Michelle Pfeiffer and Daryl Hannah turned it down, while others like Drew Barrymore, Patricia Arquette, Uma Thurman, Brooke Shields, Kristin Davis, Valeria Golino, Lea Thompson, Jennifer Jason Leigh auditioned unsuccessfully. Julia came in after the makers had pretty much exhausted all their options.
Gere too came on board only after Marshall tried casting Denzel Washington, Christopher Reeve, Sylvester Stallone, Al Pacino, Burt Reynolds, Sam Neill, Tom Conti, among others. Gere had rejected the role initially, but was eventually convinced by Roberts to take it up.
The film was a runway hit and became the fifth highest grossing movie worldwide at the time, behind ET The Extra-Terrestrial, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Jaws. Made at a budget of USD 14 million, its box office tally stands at USD 463.4 million.
Here are some other lesser-known facts about Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman was initially meant to be a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles of the 80s, with Vivian Ward meant to be a drug addict, a habit she had to kick during her week with Edward. In fact, the film was to be called 3000, the money that Edward owed her for their time together.
In the original script, Edward and Vivian do not end up together; he throws her out of his car and she leaves with her friend, Kit, who eventually dies of an overdose.
The movie posters used a body double for Roberts, with her head superimposed on the image.