“Pretty Woman” is one of those timeless films that, no matter how many times I’ve watched it, I still get hooked every time it’s on TV or streaming.
But here’s a fun fact not everyone knows: there are several deleted scenes that few people have seen. What’s even more surprising? Nearly everyone who watches them ends up saying the same thing…
“Pretty Woman” is one of those movies that only improves with time. And honestly, as I get older, Richard Gere’s character seems even more classic and charming—and yes, I’m saying that as a straight guy!
The movie’s fairy-tale romance, along with the undeniable chemistry between Julia Roberts as Vivian and Richard Gere as Edward, keeps fans coming back, no matter how many times they’ve seen it.
A Yuppie Sociopath
Originally, “Pretty Woman” had a much darker script, far removed from the lighthearted romantic comedy that captured the world’s heart. The original screenplay, titled “3,000”, was written by a struggling screenwriter at the time, J.F. Lawton.
At the time, Lawton was attempting to break into the industry with scripts for ninja action films and comedies, but he wasn’t getting noticed. After shifting gears, he wrote “Red Sneakers”, a serious script about a one-legged lesbian comedian, which unexpectedly drew attention.
This newfound interest led to the creation of “3,000”, a much darker tale that explored America’s financial struggles and the dangers of exposing a life of luxury to those who have never known it.
In the original, Kit (Vivian’s wisecracking roommate) was depicted as a hardened drug addict, always teetering on the brink of an overdose. Even Vivian was portrayed as a drug user, adding a much grittier edge to the story.
The traces of this darker backstory can still be seen in the *Pretty Woman* we know today, with Edward telling Vivian to “quit fidgeting,” subtly referencing her past struggles. In the original script, Edward was a James Spader-like yuppie sociopath—cold, detached, and viewing Vivian solely as a temporary diversion or plaything.
And here’s a fun fact: Did you know that Disney executives originally wanted Sean Connery and Meg Ryan for the lead roles?
Roberts Refused the Original Script
Julia Roberts has openly stated that she would never have taken on the original “3,000” role, even now.
“I couldn’t do it then, I couldn’t do it now,” Roberts said. “Thank God it fell apart.”
Turning *Pretty Woman* into a romantic comedy was a brilliant decision that allowed it to connect with a wider audience. While most agree that cutting the darker scenes was the right choice, some fans still long for the inclusion of certain deleted moments.
The Director’s Cut of the film adds extra dialogue and scenes, offering more context and depth to the characters’ journeys. One of these scenes expands on Edward and Vivian’s first meeting, enhancing their initial chemistry. Another tense moment features Carlos, the intimidating pimp, chasing after Vivian to collect the money Kit owes him.
Though these scenes were left out of the final version, they provide a glimpse into Vivian’s life beyond Edward. Including them could have added more balance to the story and given her character — and the movie as a whole — greater depth.
One such scene features Julia Roberts and Richard Gere riding horses together, which would have added a layer of color and depth to Vivian’s character and her world. Another fascinating moment that many fans wish had been reinserted shows a glimpse into Vivian’s life beyond her interactions with Edward, giving the story more balance and evoking shades of “My Fair Lady”.
Personally, I love how *Pretty Woman* turned out in the end. Had they kept the darker, more “realistic” scenes, I think it would have detracted from the magical quality that makes the film so special. Fairy tales need to be a bit polished, a bit dreamy, and that’s what works in this case. The rougher scenes, like the conversation outside the club, just didn’t align with the film’s sweet, whimsical tone.
Family-Friendly Makeover
In the TV version of “Pretty Woman”, a few iconic lines were given a family-friendly makeover! For instance, when Kit is trying to cheer up Vivian, she switches from her usual “Cinde-f**kin’-rella” to simply “Cinderella.”
The scene was re-shot to match her mouth movements with the new, cleaned-up dialogue, rather than just a re-dub. And that famous line, “50 bucks, Grampa. For 75 the wife can watch”?
In the TV version, Kit instead says, “My grandmother has curtains just like that,” while commenting on the woman’s dress.
Horse Riding Scene
As mentioned, most fans are satisfied with how “Pretty Woman” turned out, and only a few wish the deleted scenes had stayed in. However, there is one moment that fans can’t help but wish had made it to the final cut.
In this scene, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere share a beautiful moment riding horses together. It would have added more color and depth to Vivian’s character and her world, bringing an extra layer of magic to the fairy tale.
Speaking of horses, there’s another deleted scene at a polo match where Elizabeth tells Philip she’s going for a ride with a couple named the Ritters. Ironically, years later, the actress who played Elizabeth, Amy Yasbeck, would marry actor John Ritter and have a daughter with him.
For fans, uncovering these hidden gems years later feels like the film is still giving back, reigniting the joy of watching “Pretty Woman” with a fresh perspective.
“It’s such a luxury to see these scenes after all these years,” one viewer shared. “It’s like the movie that just keeps giving,” said one more.
“I never knew these scenes existed – watch them below!”
