Richard Gere recently reflected on the making of Pretty Woman during an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. The 75-year-old actor revealed that he initially didn’t understand the film or the character of Edward Lewis, describing the role as lacking depth. He felt the character was “just a suit,” and was initially hesitant to take on the role.
Gere also admitted feeling uncomfortable when meeting with director Garry Marshall because he wasn’t eager to do the movie. However, during their conversation, Marshall encouraged him to collaborate on finding the character’s essence. Marshall also introduced him to Julia Roberts, and Gere was charmed by her, recalling a moment when she wrote a note on a Post-It that read, “Please say yes.” This gesture helped convince Gere to take on the role.
Looking back, Gere expressed gratitude for the film, noting how it led to numerous other opportunities in his career. He fondly remembered the camaraderie on set and the trust among the cast and crew, emphasizing how they worked together to bring depth and charm to the film, which became a huge success.
