Richard Gere didn’t plan on starring in ‘Pretty Woman‘. In fact, he had already turned down the role of Edward Lewis, and it seemed like his decision wouldn’t change. However, director Garry Marshall wanted to give it one more try, so he arranged a meeting between Gere and Julia Roberts to see if meeting her might shift anything.
During that meeting, Roberts made a small, unexpected gesture: a Post-it note that later became one of the film’s most memorable behind-the-scenes stories. And that move played a key part in getting Gere to take a second look at the role he had refused.
Julia Roberts Wanted Reluctant Richard Gere To Play Her Romantic Interest
When the cast reunited on the Today show, Richard Gere looked back on that first meeting and shared a few light details. For instance, he mentioned that he immediately noticed Roberts’ legs, joking that she caught his attention right away. Even so, this moment of interest didn’t instantly convince him to take the part. At that point, Gere still didn’t want to play Edward. He felt confident in turning it down, but Marshall believed the two actors might connect if they had a chance to talk.
Because of this, he encouraged them to sit together while he stepped out for a moment, hoping the meeting would help. As soon as Marshall left the room, Roberts felt as comfortable as he could be professionally with Roberts. According to Gere, her natural smile and laugh pulled him in quickly. In fact, he became so focused on her that he barely noticed Marshall returning.
The Post-It Note That Changed The Fate Of ‘Pretty Woman’
After that brief moment of connection, the story took its most memorable turn. While Marshall stepped back into the room, Roberts quietly slid a small Post-It note across the table toward Gere. On it, she had written three simple words: “Please say yes.” Because of this note, Gere paused and reconsidered the role he had already declined.
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He later said that the message, paired with the natural rapport he felt with Roberts, made him see the opportunity differently. Suddenly, the role didn’t seem like something he should walk away from after all. Thanks to that tiny sticky note, the film gained one of the most familiar romantic pairings of the 1990s.
Fans now see this moment as a playful gesture. It’s something sweetly bold that only Roberts could pull off, and a gesture that changed movie history in the most unexpected way.
