The cast of the beloved melodrama could have been very different.

It’s been 32 years since Pretty Woman premiered. But still the picture with pleasure revisited by millions of viewers around the world. Lively and direct Julia Roberts after the melodrama became a true star. And her on-screen partner Richard Gere has cemented his fame as a sex symbol. But few people know that the actor to the last refused to shoot.

When director Harry Marshall sent the script to Gere, he was not thrilled with the story. Richard decided that the character of Edward Lewis is empty and uninteresting. Producer by all means tried to persuade a stubborn actor: promising fabulous fees, offered to change the plot.

But all in vain. Then Harry sent to Gere charming Julia Roberts, hoping that she would be able to melt his heart.The actors talked all evening, and Richard began to hesitate. And when he returned home, he found a note that Julia had slipped into his pocket.

“Say yes, please,” it said.

Her clever move won Richard, and he agreed. The film was a box-office hit and received numerous nominations for various awards, from the Oscars to the Golden Globes.