Pretty Woman is one of those classic movies that most people have watched more than once. It’s the kind of film that people know by heart—the unforgettable love story between a charming billionaire and a Hollywood Boulevard prostitute who find something genuine in each other. But even die-hard fans might be surprised to learn there’s a major blooper hidden in one of the film’s most iconic scenes that no one seemed to notice until now. It’s one of those details that make you wonder how it slipped through the cracks, considering how often this movie has been analyzed, quoted, and adored over the years.

This revelation adds another layer of intrigue to a film already filled with surprising behind-the-scenes secrets. Most people are familiar with the movie’s famous promotional poster featuring Julia Roberts in a black mini-dress and thigh-high boots, leaning confidently on Richard Gere’s suited-up character. But here’s something many never realized: that body doesn’t actually belong to Julia Roberts. The poster was created by superimposing Julia’s face onto another woman’s body—that of professional body double Shelley Michelle. While Julia played Vivian Ward on screen, Shelley’s figure was chosen for the poster, with Richard Gere’s hair even darkened to make the image pop. It’s one of those movie marketing choices that you don’t think twice about until you know the truth.

The film itself underwent some serious changes from its original concept. While most people think of Pretty Woman as a lighthearted romantic comedy, it didn’t start out that way. The original script was much darker and grittier, focusing on Vivian’s struggles with drug addiction, specifically cocaine. The ending of that first version was anything but the fairy tale we know today. Instead of finding love and a happy future, Vivian was supposed to be left heartbroken and alone. It was only after Disney got involved and director Garry Marshall stepped in that the story was reworked into the feel-good movie it’s known as today. This shift in tone is part of what made Pretty Woman a box office success and an enduring favorite.

Another little-known fact about the movie involves the stunning necklace that Edward presents to Vivian in that memorable scene where she’s wearing the red dress.

That necklace, valued at $250,000, was completely real. Because of its worth, the jewelry company insisted on sending a security guard to the set to watch over it at all times. In fact, when Richard Gere famously snapped the jewelry box shut on Julia Roberts’ fingers as a playful joke, the genuine laughter that followed was so natural that Garry Marshall decided to leave it in the film. It’s one of the most charming moments in the movie and became an iconic scene, but few realize it was entirely unscripted.

And who could forget the song “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette? That track became synonymous with the movie, but originally, it wasn’t part of the plan. Garry Marshall chose to add the song during the editing process, and it ended up playing over the emotional scene where Edward and Vivian part ways. The song’s melancholy vibe perfectly captured the bittersweet moment and added emotional weight to their story. It’s hard to imagine Pretty Woman without it.

These little details and behind-the-scenes decisions helped shape Pretty Woman into the film people know and love today. It’s fascinating to think about how different the movie could have been had the original script made it to the screen without revisions. Instead of a sweet and hopeful love story, we might have had a gritty drama about addiction and despair. Thanks to the creative choices of Garry Marshall and the film’s producers, Pretty Woman became a modern Cinderella story that continues to resonate with audiences.

For fans who enjoy learning these fun facts, it’s a reminder that even the most well-known movies have hidden layers and stories waiting to be uncovered. So, next time you watch Pretty Woman, you might find yourself noticing these little details you hadn’t thought about before. And if you found this tidbit interesting, feel free to share it with your friends and family—sometimes, it’s the little things that make revisiting a favorite movie even more enjoyable. Thanks for supporting content like this, and enjoy revisiting this timeless classic with fresh eyes.