Rumours of a sequel to the beloved 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman have been reignited, following the circulation of convincing but fake promotional posters online. The hoax material, which suggested a follow-up film was already in production on Netflix, initially disappointed fans before a surprising revelation emerged: detailed talks for a genuine sequel are now underway.
From Fake News to Real Negotiations
The iconic film, which catapulted Julia Roberts to global stardom 35 years ago, remains a cultural touchstone. Roberts, then 22, played Vivian Ward, a sex worker hired by billionaire businessman Edward Lewis, portrayed by a then 40-year-old Richard Gere. Their 18-year age gap raised eyebrows at the time, but the story of their unlikely romance captured hearts worldwide.
According to a senior production source speaking to The Mirror, the fake poster frenzy made the original stars and studio bosses realise the enduring power of the brand. The source confirmed that Roberts, now 57, and Gere, 71, have opened up 'detailed talks' with Disney executives about a potential sequel. "No contracts have been signed yet but an early script is being worked on, and barring any unforeseen problems, both Richard and Julia are on board," the insider stated. "Pretty Woman 2 appears to be on."
A Change of Heart for the Stars
This marks a significant shift from Roberts's previous stance. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian's G2, she expressed doubt that Pretty Woman could even be made today, suggesting it had 'too many holes you could poke at.' She elaborated, "I don't think you could make that movie now, right? So many things you could poke a hole in, but I don't think it takes away from people being able to enjoy it."
Roberts also amusingly revealed to the same publication that she nearly turned down another of her famous rom-com roles in Notting Hill, calling the initial pitch "awful." Fortunately, she was persuaded after meeting the filmmakers, and the 1999 movie went on to earn $364 million at the global box office.
The Road to 'Pretty Woman' and Vivian's Future
The casting of the original film was not straightforward. The role of Edward Lewis was offered to several Hollywood heavyweights before Gere. Sean Connery, Al Pacino, and Burt Reynolds were all considered. Pacino reportedly turned it down after a screen test, while the late Burt Reynolds later joked his reason for rejecting it was simply "because I'm an idiot."
As for what a sequel might explore, Roberts herself has previously mused on the characters' futures. In 2023, when asked where she thought Vivian and Edward were now, she offered a poignant, if final, idea: "I think he passed away peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack, smiling. And now she runs his business." Whether the new script follows this imaginative path or charts a different course for the couple remains to be seen, but for millions of fans, the mere possibility of a return to their world is thrilling news.
