PRETTY WOMAN SEQUEL ‘IN THE WORKS’ 35 YEARS ON AS JULIA ROBERTS AND RICHARD GERE ‘IN TALKS’

Speculation is mounting that a sequel to the beloved romantic comedy Pretty Woman could finally be on the way, 35 years after the original film first swept audiences off their feet.

The 1990 classic, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, became a global phenomenon upon its release, earning an astonishing $463.4 million (£349.9 million) at the box office and cementing its place as one of the most successful romantic comedies of all time. More than three decades on, the film continues to attract new fans while holding a special place in the hearts of those who first fell in love with Vivian Ward and Edward Lewis.

Earlier this year, excitement surged when posters appeared online seemingly promoting a Pretty Woman sequel for Netflix, complete with the tagline “A second chance.” However, fans were left disappointed when it emerged that the images had been generated using artificial intelligence by an enthusiastic fan rather than any official studio.

But now, hope has been reignited.

According to new reports, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are believed to be in early talks with Disney bosses about reprising their iconic roles. While nothing has been officially confirmed, insiders suggest the project is further along than fans might expect.

A source told The Mirror:
“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. Pretty Woman 2 appears to be on.”

The news comes despite both stars previously expressing doubts about whether the film could, or should, be revisited in modern times. Julia Roberts, now 57, was just 22 when she starred as Vivian Ward opposite 71-year-old Gere, who played wealthy businessman Edward Lewis at the age of 40.

In a past interview with The Guardian, Roberts admitted she wasn’t sure the film could be made today.
“I don’t think you could make that movie now, right?” she said. “So many things you could poke a hole in, but I don’t think it takes away from people being able to enjoy it.”

Both acting legends are reportedly eager to reprise their roles - Credit: Touchstone/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

She also reflected on her own career at the time, noting that early success often comes down to timing and fortune rather than talent alone.

Richard Gere has been even more outspoken over the years, once describing Pretty Woman as his “least favourite thing.” Speaking in 2012, the actor admitted he had largely forgotten his time working on the film.

“People ask me about that movie, but I’ve forgotten it,” he said while promoting another project. He later criticised the way the film portrayed wealthy businessmen, suggesting it glamorised power imbalances that feel uncomfortable by today’s standards.

Despite his reservations, Gere has shown a softer side more recently. At the Venice Film Festival in 2024, he was shown the film’s famous piano scene and laughed it off, admitting:
“I haven’t seen that in a long time. That’s a sexy scene.”

He even joked that his character was “criminally underwritten,” describing Edward Lewis as little more than “a suit and a good haircut.”

Interestingly, Gere was not the first choice for the role. The late Sean Connery, Al Pacino, and Burt Reynolds were all considered. Pacino reportedly turned it down after feeling he wasn’t right for the part following a screen test with Roberts, while Reynolds later admitted he regretted saying no.

As for what a sequel might look like, details remain tightly under wraps, but Roberts has already shared her own tongue-in-cheek vision of the characters’ future. In 2023, she joked that Edward had passed away peacefully, leaving Vivian to take over his business empire.

Whether fans would embrace that storyline remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the appetite for a Pretty Woman sequel is stronger than ever. If the talks do move forward, it could mark one of the most talked-about movie returns in Hollywood history.