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It’s hard to think of Julia Roberts movies and not think of Pretty Woman. Roberts has played plenty of memorable characters over the years but the role of Vivian in the 1990 Disney film is one of her most iconic.

Several other ladies including Winona Ryder had wanted the part that eventually went to the Mystic Pizza star. Here’s more on why Ryder and another famous actor didn’t get the role.

(L) Julia Roberts pictured in white tank top and smiling during Pretty Woman scene (R) Actor Winona Ryder dressed in black at premiere for Stranger Things
(L): Julia Roberts pictured in white tank top and smiling during ‘Pretty Woman’ scene | Buena Vista/Getty Images, (R) Winona Ryder dressed in black at premiere for ‘Stranger Things’ | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

The role of Vivian was originally offered to another movie star

The studio didn’t have Roberts in mind to play the character opposite Richard Gere. The part was actually offered to Molly Ringwald.

By the time casting for Pretty Woman was happening Ringwald had already starred in a few blockbusters including Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles. However, she didn’t take on the role of Vivian.

During a Reddit AMA, Ringwald said that she didn’t recall specifically turning down the part but did remember that she wasn’t crazy about the early version of the script.

Molly Ringwald dressed in a white blouse and patterned shirt at an event in NYC
Molly Ringwald dressed in a white blouse and patterned shirt at an event in NYC | Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

“I think I saw an early draft, and it was called $3,000,” she said. “I don’t specifically remember turning it down. The script was OK, but I gotta say Julia Roberts is what makes that movie. It was her part. Every actor hopes for a part that lets them shine like that.” 

These 2 actors did not get the part for the same reason

When Harry Met Sally star Meg Ryan was also tapped to play Vivian but when she turned it down several other actors auditioned.

Two of those actors were Winona Ryder and Drew Barrymore. After they tried out, Marshall decided he didn’t want to cast either of them because of how old they were. IMDb noted that Ryder and Barrymore were both in their teens at the time (Barrymore was only 14) so Marshall felt they were too young to cast as a prostitute who finds love with a wealthy businessman after spending the week together.

Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore | Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank

Roberts was 22 when shooting began.

Several other Hollywood stars were either considered for or turned down the role. They included Daryl Hannah, Jodie Foster, Jennifer Connelly, and Diane Lane.

When it came to Vivian’s friend and roommate Kit De Luca, Demi Moore declined the part. It eventually went to Laura San Giacomo.

Richard Gere didn’t want to play Edward

Julia Roberts
Richard Gere and Julia Roberts together in a scene from ‘Pretty Woman’ | Buena Vista/Getty Images
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Sylvester Stallone and Burt Reynolds were the first actors offered the role of Edward. Reynolds later admitted that he regretted turning it down.

John Travolta and Al Pacino were other actors that did screen tests with Roberts but neither had the chemistry with her that Gere did. However, the An Officer and a Gentleman star reportedly didn’t want to take the role; that is until Roberts convinced him to.

According to IMDb, “[Gere] got on the phone ready to turn down the offer and [Roberts] slid him a Post-It note that said, ‘Please say yes’ and when the producers answered on the other end of the call, he accepted the part.”

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