Richard Gere has finally spoken about the chance of a Pretty Woman Sequel. But he made one thing clear—he will only do it if the script is strong. The actor, now 75, said that he won’t revisit the iconic role unless the writing really works. “It all comes down to whether or not there’s a good script,” he said. Fans have hoped for years to see Gere and Julia Roberts on screen together again. But Gere believes the story needs fresh ideas and strong emotions to be worth telling. If there ever is a sequel, viewers will expect the same magic.
The Film That Changed His Career Forever
Pretty Woman came out in 1990 and quickly became a global hit. Gere played Edward Lewis, a wealthy businessman. Julia Roberts played Vivian Ward, a sex worker on Hollywood Boulevard. The two meet during a business trip in Los Angeles. Edward hires Vivian for a week, but their relationship turns into something deeper. They fall in love, and the film ends with Edward climbing a fire escape to “rescue” Vivian. All of it plays out to Roxette’s hit song “It Must Have Been Love.” That final kiss became one of the most famous romantic moments in film history.
Gere Almost Turned Down the Role Because It Lacked Depth
When Gere first read the script, he didn’t like it. He thought the character had no depth or purpose. “There was no character,” he said during The Hollywood Reporter’s “Awards Chatter” podcast. “I read this thing and said, ‘It’s not for me.’” Gere didn’t see any emotion or real personality in Edward. He saw him as just a guy in a suit. Director Garry Marshall disagreed. He told Gere they would build the character together. He promised the team could make Edward more than just a rich man with no feelings.
The Cast Worked Hard to Shape the Story
Gere, Roberts, and Marshall worked closely on the character. They rewrote scenes and added emotional layers. They wanted Edward to feel real, charming, and sexy. “We ended up trying to find a character that made sense,” Gere said. They focused on making the story warm and fun. The cast trusted each other and enjoyed working together. “We had a wonderful time,” Gere said. “And we had no idea that it was gonna be what it was.” That mix of effort and chemistry helped turn the film into a classic, setting high expectations for a Pretty Woman sequel.
The Piano Scene Was Not in the Original Script
One of the most famous moments in Pretty Woman was not even planned. Gere revealed in 2024 that the piano scene happened by chance. He said Garry Marshall asked him, “What do you do late at night in a hotel?” Gere told him he often plays piano when he can’t sleep. So Marshall suggested adding a scene around that habit. The result was a sexy and intimate moment that helped define the love story. Gere sat at a piano in the hotel ballroom. Roberts walked in wearing a bathrobe. Then the two kissed on top of the piano. “It was never in the script,” Gere said. “We just improvised it.”
That One Scene Helped Show Edward’s True Self
Gere remembered how important that scene became. Marshall told him to “play something moody,” and Gere started to play. The music showed Edward’s softer side. It revealed his feelings and his struggles. It wasn’t just about romance. It gave the audience a peek into the character’s emotional world. Gere called it “this character’s interior life.” That one moment, created on the fly, became central to the film’s emotional impact, and might be a pivotal point in a Pretty Woman sequel.
Gere Feels Grateful for What the Movie Gave Him
Gere feels proud of Pretty Woman even decades later. He often reflects on how much the film gave him. “I’m thankful for that movie,” he said. “It allowed me to do a lot of other things too.” The film boosted his career and helped him choose roles with more depth. It showed his range and introduced him to a new generation of fans. He credits the movie’s success to teamwork and trust between cast and crew.
Julia Roberts Thinks the Movie Wouldn’t Be Made Today
While Gere stays open to a sequel, Julia Roberts doesn’t think it would work in today’s world. She said so during a 2018 interview with The Guardian. “I don’t really think you could make that movie now,” she said. She believes the movie worked at the time but wouldn’t fit today’s culture. Roberts said the story has too many outdated elements. Still, she thinks people can enjoy it as a product of its time. A Pretty Woman sequel would need to be adapted to modern themes.
The Movie Was a Mix of Luck, Timing, and Talent
Roberts also talked about how lucky she felt to be part of the film. She said the role came at the right time. “It’s not a measure of talent, particularly in the beginning,” she said. “It’s a measure of good fortune.” She believes she just happened to be in the right place. But she also stayed sharp and made the most of that chance. The film made her a star and launched a career that has lasted more than 30 years.
The Cast Had No Idea the Film Would Become Iconic
In another 2018 interview with Grazia, Roberts explained that no one expected Pretty Woman to last so long. She called it a 30-year-old movie that still connects with people. But she warned against using it as a guide for what works today. “There’s going to be trouble making the connection,” she said. That trouble could come from political, cultural, or even fashion differences. “We have no way of knowing” if it would work now, she added, which makes a Pretty Woman sequel uncertain.
