The 1990 romcom Pretty Woman was indeed a breakout role for Julia Roberts, as the film not only won praises and accolades but also turned Roberts into the overnight American sweetheart. Appearing alongside the suave Richard Gere, the actress soon turned into a Hollywood icon and climbed the ladder to success.
Julia Roberts
However, Julia Roberts certainly owes her breakout performance to two Hollywood A-listers. Because, before the role of the struggling prostitute Vivian Ward went to Roberts, it was offered to Molly Ringwald and Jennifer Connelly. But eventually as both the actress were ruled out, Roberts landed the $463M movie.
Molly Ringwald Turned Down Julia Roberts’ Movie
The actress who dominated the entertainment industry during the 80s, following her phenomenal performance in films like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, Molly Ringwald doesn’t really regret her career decisions. And certainly not the decision to turn down the 1990 rom-com Pretty Woman, which turned into a breakout role for Julia Roberts.
Pretty Woman (1990)
During an interview with The Guardian, Molly Ringwald spoke about the $463M movie that earned Roberts an Academy Award nomination in 1991. Discussing why exactly she turned down the movie, Ringwald began by stating, “Julia Roberts was wonderful in it, but I didn’t really like the story,”
“Even then, I felt like there was something icky about it.”
Finding the story of the struggling s*x worker Vivian Ward hired by a businessman to be his date, too dark for herself, Molly Ringwald mentioned turning it down. But she wasn’t the only actress who was being sought after for the role before Julia Roberts finally bagged it. Apparently, there were Jennifer Connelly and Winona Ryder as well.
Jennifer Connelly Was Too Young To Play A Prostitute
The original screenplay for 1990’s Pretty Woman, penned by J.F. Lawton was supposed to be extremely dark and gritty. However, eventually, the final version had to tone it down from being a pure adult-themed movie intended to portray a sinister allegory about corporate greed. And while the movie went through several phases of changes, it also went through myriads of auditions for the lead role.
After seeking Molly Ringwald to play Vivian Ward, when the actress turned down the $463M offer, it went to Jennifer Connelly, who was 19 years old back then. However, considering her age, and the adult theme of the movie, director Garry Marshall mentioned rejecting Connelly. According to Collider, Marshall felt that Connelly was too young to portray a p*ostitute.
Winona Ryder was rejected from Pretty Woman
The same happened to Winona Ryder as she was 18 years old when she auditioned for the role of Vivian Ward. Thus, Garry Marshall refused to feature both, Jennifer Connelly and Winona Ryder, because of their extremely young age to play the role of a s*x worker. Therefore, with no one suitable to feature in the movie, the role eventually went to Julia Roberts.
Pretty Woman streaming on Amazon Prime.
News
Nicolas Cage Weighs in on the Possibility of a Face/Off Sequel
Nicolas Cage is ready for an onscreen rematch against former co-star John Travolta. As the actor exclusively revealed on the Jan. 9 episode of E! News, “I would love to get back into the Face/Off ring.” The 1997 sci-fi action flick starred Travolta as FBI agent…
“Heartbroken” Nicolas Cage Believes Ex Lisa Marie Presley Has Been Reunited With Son Benjamin After Death
After Lisa Marie Presley died Jan. 12 after a possible cardiac arrest, her ex-husband Nicolas Cage paid tribute to the singer by sharing his fondest memories. Nicolas Cage is paying tribute to his late ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley. One day after the 54-year-old singer…
Nicolas Cage Welcomes Baby No. 3, First With Wife Riko Shibata
Nicolas Cage is a girl dad! The Ghost Rider actor—who is a father to two sons Kal-El Coppola Cage and Weston Coppola Cage—welcomed his first daughter with wife Riko Shibata. Nicolas Cage has a new national treasure in his life! The actor…
Secrets About the National Treasure Franchise
ecrets About the National Treasure Franchise 1. The film was announced in 1999 and originally intended to be released in 2000, but original writer Jim Kouf‘s script was so complex that eight additional writers were hired between 1999 and 2003 by Disney…
Longlegs director teases an “unrecognizable” Nicolas Cage as a demonic serial killer in new horror movie
Exclusive: Director Osgood Perkins talks Nicolas Cage’s Zodiac-esque serial killer (Image credit: Neon) Longlegs director Osgood Perkins says Nicolas Cage is unrecognizable in the upcoming horror thriller – and we’re ready for the non-stop nightmares. “We derived the voice of…
‘The Rock’: THR’s 1996 Review
On June 7, 1996, Buena Vista unveiled Michael Bay’s blockbuster actioner, which paired Sean Connery with Nicolas Cage. Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage in ‘The Rock’ EVERETT On June 7, 1996, Buena Vista unveiled Michael Bay’s actioner The Rock, which paired…
End of content
No more pages to load