Pretty Woman's Rise to Stardom

On March 23rd, pretty woman hit theaters on March 23rd, 1990, and turned Julia Roberts

into a superstar overnight.

The romantic comedy, directed by Gary Marshall, starred Roberts as Vivian, a sex worker

hired by a wealthy businessman played by Richard Gear for $3,000 a week.

Made on a budget of $17 million, it raked in over $460 million worldwide, snagged four

golden globe nods, an Oscar.

Domination for Roberts and became one of the year's top films, right behind Ghost in Home

Alone.

The original script titled $3,000 by J.F.

Lotton was much darker with no happy ending, Vivian ends up broke and heading to Disneyland

on a bus.

Disney stepped in, softened it into a fairy tale-filled good story, and Marshall recast

leads after considering Al Pacino, Michelle Piper, John, Travolta, and others for Edward,

while stars like Meg Ryan, Molly Ringwald, and Diane Lane passed on Vivian.

Audiences fell hard for the chemistry between Roberts and Gear, making it a beloved rom-com

classic, despite its unlikely premise.

Roberts, then a 23-year-old newcomer, auditioned twice and even convinced they were lukting

gear to join by pleading on a posted note during a, call with Marshall.

Behind the scenes, trivia abounds.

At the bubble bath stripping Roberts' hair dye, Gear were really playing piano in that

iconic scene, and luxury car.

Brands turning down product placement.

The film's looks were custom-made, including that famous red opera gown, and Roberts earned

$300,000 for her breakout role.

Decades later, pretty woman endures as Disney's top-grossing R-rated movie, inspiring a Broadway

musical in 2018, and a reunion for Roberts.

Playing Gear in Runaway Bride, where they vowed no sequel without Marshall, keeping the

magic intact.

That's the story for today.

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