Hardly anyone noticed this major blooper in the iconic Pretty Woman!

*Pretty Woman* is one of those timeless movies I can watch over and over — it just never gets old.

But after all the times I’ve seen it, it’s amazing that I missed some surprising bloopers and subtle hints that reveal a very different story behind the film. It turns out, Disney changed everything!

Originally, *Pretty Woman* wasn’t meant to be the romantic comedy we know today. The film began as a gritty screenplay titled *3,000*, written by struggling screenwriter J.F. Lawton. This early version delved into darker themes of social inequality and corporate greed. Instead of a fairy tale romance, it explored the harsh realities of class and power, but Disney saw the potential for a love story and turned it into the iconic rom-com that launched Julia Roberts and Richard Gere to stardom.

However, everything changed when Disney took over the project. The studio opted to downplay the darker themes of class and sex work in Los Angeles, opting instead for a big-budget romantic comedy. The transformation was complete, turning *Pretty Woman* into a beloved rom-com that would soon captivate millions.

Al Pacino Turned Down the Lead Role

It’s hard to imagine anyone but Richard Gere as Edward Lewis, the wealthy businessman who hires Vivian (played by Julia Roberts) for a week. Yet, the casting process was more complex than expected, with Al Pacino initially considered for the role. Pacino even participated in a reading with Julia Roberts, but he ultimately declined the part.

Although he’s never revealed his reasons, Pacino later expressed his admiration for Roberts, who was still relatively unknown at the time. “You could tell at the reading, this is going to be good, this is going to be a hit picture. You just knew it,” Pacino said. He continued, “And this girl was phenomenal. I said to Gary, ‘Where did you get this girl?’” (referring to director Gary Marshall). Pacino’s instincts were right, as Roberts’s performance would come to define her career and the film’s legacy.

The Croissant Becomes a Pancake

In one memorable breakfast scene, there’s a quirky detail that often slips by unnoticed. Vivian starts the conversation with Edward while enjoying a croissant. But in a blink, the croissant somehow transforms into a pancake! It’s a small blooper, but it only adds to the charm of this classic film.

So, how did that happen? Director Garry Marshall explained that he preferred Julia Roberts’ performance in later takes, where she was eating a pancake instead of the croissant. So, despite the change, they kept the footage.

However, this switch led to a continuity issue: in the first shot with the pancake, Vivian takes a second bite, but in the following shot, there’s only one bite missing, and the bite pattern doesn’t match. Clearly, it’s not the same pancake!

Truth Behind the Iconic Red Dress

Costume design is often subtle, but in *Pretty Woman,* one dress stands out unmistakably: the iconic red gown Vivian wears to the opera. This dress wasn’t just a wardrobe choice—it symbolized Vivian’s transformation and empowerment. During this transformative scene, Vivian accompanies Edward to a night at the opera, radiating sophistication and confidence. The red dress perfectly reflects her evolution from outsider to someone who feels truly seen and valued.

Vogue once described *Pretty Woman*’s red dress as “eye-catching, incredibly sexy without losing an ounce of elegance.” The genius behind this unforgettable look was award-winning costume designer Marilyn Vance. Not only did Vance craft six fabulous outfits for Julia Roberts’ character, Vivian Ward, but she also designed Richard Gere’s stylish wardrobe.

One standout is the charming brown-and-white polka dot dress Vivian wears to the horse races. This little gem came from an old silk fabric that Vance found in a small antique fabric shop in Los Angeles—a perfect example of chic recycling. And the shoes? Chanel, of course.

Richard Gere’s Iconic Tie

Gere’s wardrobe was a masterclass in refined color coordination, with suits in shades of brown, navy, and blue-gray—all designed by Vance. The famous tie Vivian picks up for Edward? According to Vance, it was “nothing special”—not even a designer label. She bought it at a Los Angeles shop for just $48, yet the tie became memorable. If you pay attention, you’ll notice it mysteriously changes knots throughout the film. For instance, at the polo match, Edward wears it with a half-Windsor knot, but later, it magically appears tied in a full-Windsor with a different collar style.

The ‘Obscene’ Shopping Spree

In a pivotal scene, Edward introduces Vivian to the world of luxury with a lavish shopping spree on Rodeo Drive. Designer Marilyn Vance estimates that this wild retail adventure would’ve cost Edward’s character about $30,000. For Vivian, it must have felt like stepping into a fairy tale.

The Ruby-and-Diamond Necklace Was Real

The jewelry that Julia Roberts wore with her stunning red ball gown—an exquisite heart-shaped necklace crafted from rubies and diamonds—was valued at a jaw-dropping $250,000. Yes, you heard that right!

According to movie trivia, this ruby-and-diamond masterpiece was the real deal. In fact, while filming, an armed security guard hired by the jewelry store stood vigilantly beside the director to ensure its safety.

The Jewelry Box Scene Was a Practical Joke

The scene where Richard Gere presents Julia Roberts with the dazzling necklace is one of the most romantic and memorable moments in movie history, and it has a hilarious backstory.

Originally, this was a playful prank meant for the film’s gag reel. When Gere quickly snapped the jewelry box shut on Roberts’ fingers, it caught her by surprise, resulting in that genuine, infectious laugh we see on screen. Director Garry Marshall later shared that he and Gere decided on this little trick to capture Roberts’ natural reaction, creating a moment that would go on to become one of the film’s most iconic scenes.

According to Garry Marshall, Julia Roberts, then just 23, would occasionally show up to set a bit sleepy after a night out. “I said, ‘Richard, you gotta wake her up a little, so when she reaches for the box, slam it,’” Marshall explained, adding, “It was a soft box. I would never hurt her.”

What started as a lighthearted prank turned into an iconic movie moment. They didn’t decide to keep it until the final stages of editing. “We put it in… and it became like the trademark of the movie,” Marshall shared. Just like that, an unscripted joke became a magical moment in cinema.

Edward’s Disappearing Shoes

Pretty Woman has its share of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bloopers. For instance, after the opera, Edward and Vivian share a moment in the park where she helps him take off his shoes. But as Edward starts to lie down, his shoes have magically reappeared!

Money in the Boot

In another scene, when Edward hands Vivian $100 in the penthouse, she casually tucks it into her boot. Later, when she takes off her boots after the champagne arrives, the cash has mysteriously disappeared. Did the money vanish into thin air, or is Vivian just a master of concealment? Maybe those boots had a secret pocket—or perhaps the cash just didn’t want to stick around.

The Case of the Four Colored Condoms

When Vivian presents Edward with a selection of colorful condoms, they seem to have a life of their own, shifting positions between cuts.

The Case of the Four Colored Condoms

Vivian starts with four neatly arranged options (not counting that distinctive gold one), but in the next shot, the order is completely scrambled. It’s a small but noticeable continuity error that some eagle-eyed fans have caught.

Richard Gere’s Mixed Feelings About Edward

Pretty Woman certainly boosted Richard Gere’s career and bank account, but he’s had mixed feelings about his character, Edward. At a Venice film festival, Gere candidly described Edward as “criminally underwritten,” saying, “Basically, he’s just a suit and a good haircut.”

One scene that especially bothered Gere features Edward playing the piano while Vivian approaches. With some dry humor, Gere later commented, “I mean, no chemistry. This actor and this actress obviously had no chemistry between them… I haven’t seen that in a long time. That’s a sexy scene.” His sarcastic remark only highlights the undeniable charm and chemistry he and Roberts brought to the screen, despite his reservations about the role.

The scene was essentially improvised, with Gere sharing, “He said, ‘Play something moody.’ So I just started playing something moody that reflected the character’s interior life.” This spontaneous moment helped create one of the film’s most memorable scenes, adding a layer of authenticity to Edward’s complex character.

The Dancing Condoms

In the scene with the condoms, Vivian starts with four neatly arranged options (excluding the fancy gold one), but as the shot changes, the order shifts mysteriously. It’s like the condoms were having their own little dance routine behind the scenes, only to snap back to the original arrangement in the third shot. A subtle yet amusing detail for fans who love spotting continuity errors.

More Than Just Onscreen Lovers

The undeniable chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere wasn’t just limited to their on-screen characters. Off-screen, they formed a close bond as well. In 2017, Gere shared that he still talks to Roberts “all the time,” and back in the day, they would speak “three or four times a day.” Their connection was more than just professional—it was a genuine friendship that helped shape their iconic roles as Edward and Vivian. You could say it was love at first sight, in a friendly, platonic sort of way.

The Instant Connection

“Yeah, we loved each other immediately. So it was a nice thing,” Richard Gere admitted, reflecting on his immediate chemistry with Julia Roberts.

Director Garry Marshall also noticed their connection right away. He recalled a moment during the first meeting when he stepped out to use the restroom, leaving the two actors alone to get acquainted.

“I came out and saw the two of them at the end of a hall, just looking at each other,” Marshall said. “And right there, I thought, look at that chemistry. They don’t know each other, and yet they’re doing great.”

Julia Roberts Convinces Gere to Join

Although Al Pacino was initially in the running for the role of Edward Lewis, it seems that Julia Roberts was determined to have Richard Gere as her on-screen partner. In fact, she practically pleaded with him to join the film.

“He’s a very serious actor, and he had very specific thoughts about the movie and the part and what worked and didn’t work for him,” Roberts revealed in a 2017 SiriusXM interview. “I think I just nodded and smiled a lot and agreed with everything he said. I said, ‘You have to do this movie, if you don’t do this movie and it falls apart and I lose this job it’ll just be terrible.’”

Richard Gere’s perspective on the situation was a little more playful: “I still didn’t know if I was doing this movie. We’re getting to know each other, we’re flirty, flirty… nice, nice… She’s across the desk, she takes a piece of paper, writes something on it, turns it around, and pushes it to me… ‘Please say yes.’”

And just like that, Roberts’ persistence and charm won him over, setting the stage for one of Hollywood’s most iconic pairings.

Even in a fairytale romance, things don’t always go as planned. Maybe that’s what makes *Pretty Woman* so endearing — and why it continues to capture our hearts year after year.

From the hilarious moments to the hidden mistakes, the charm of the film lies in its imperfections, reminding us that even the most magical stories have their share of bloopers. After all, it’s those little surprises that make it feel all the more real and relatable.

Did we miss your favorite *Pretty Woman* blooper? Share it with us and let’s keep the fun going! We’d love to hear your favorite behind-the-scenes moments from this timeless classic.