Richard Gere has finally spoken about the chance of a Pretty Woman Sequel. But he made one thing clearโhe will only do it if the script is strong. The actor, now 75, said that he wonโt revisit the iconic role unless the writing really works. โIt all comes down to whether or not thereโs a good script,โ 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 โrescueโ Vivian. All of it plays out to Roxetteโs hit song โIt Must Have Been Love.โ 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 didnโt like it. He thought the character had no depth or purpose. โThere was no character,โ he said during The Hollywood Reporterโs โAwards Chatterโ podcast. โI read this thing and said, โItโs not for me.โโ Gere didnโt 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. โWe ended up trying to find a character that made sense,โ Gere said. They focused on making the story warm and fun. The cast trusted each other and enjoyed working together. โWe had a wonderful time,โ Gere said. โAnd we had no idea that it was gonna be what it was.โ 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, โWhat do you do late at night in a hotel?โ Gere told him he often plays piano when he canโt 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. โIt was never in the script,โ Gere said. โWe just improvised it.โ
That One Scene Helped Show Edwardโs True Self
Gere remembered how important that scene became. Marshall told him to โplay something moody,โ and Gere started to play. The music showed Edwardโs softer side. It revealed his feelings and his struggles. It wasnโt just about romance. It gave the audience a peek into the characterโs emotional world. Gere called it โthis characterโs interior life.โ That one moment, created on the fly, became central to the filmโs 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. โIโm thankful for that movie,โ he said. โIt allowed me to do a lot of other things too.โ 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 movieโs success to teamwork and trust between cast and crew.
Julia Roberts Thinks the Movie Wouldnโt Be Made Today
While Gere stays open to a sequel, Julia Roberts doesnโt think it would work in todayโs world. She said so during a 2018 interview with The Guardian. โI donโt really think you could make that movie now,โ she said. She believes the movie worked at the time but wouldnโt fit todayโs 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. โItโs not a measure of talent, particularly in the beginning,โ she said. โItโs a measure of good fortune.โ 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. โThereโs going to be trouble making the connection,โ she said. That trouble could come from political, cultural, or even fashion differences. โWe have no way of knowingโ if it would work now, she added, which makes a Pretty Woman sequel uncertain.