<P> Casting of the film was a rather lengthy process . Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve , Daniel Day - Lewis , and Denzel Washington for the role of Edward , and Al Pacino and Burt Reynolds turned it down . Pacino went as far as doing a casting reading with Roberts before rejecting the part . Gere initially refused but when he met with Roberts , she persuaded him and he eventually agreed to play Lewis . He reportedly started off much more active in his role ; but Garry Marshall took him aside and said `` No , no , no , Richard . In this movie , one of you moves and one of you does not . Guess which one you are ? '' Julia Roberts was not the first choice for the role of Vivian , and was not wanted by Disney . Many other actresses were considered . Marshall originally envisioned Karen Allen for the role ; when she declined , auditions went to many better - known actresses of the time including Molly Ringwald , who turned it down because she felt uncomfortable playing a sex worker . Winona Ryder auditioned , but was turned down because Marshall felt she was `` too young '' . Jennifer Connelly was also dismissed for the same reason . </P>
<P> Casting of the film was a rather lengthy process . Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve , Daniel Day - Lewis , and Denzel Washington for the role of Edward , and Al Pacino and Burt Reynolds turned it down . Pacino went as far as doing a casting reading with Roberts before rejecting the part . Gere initially refused but when he met with Roberts , she persuaded him and he eventually agreed to play Lewis . He reportedly started off much more active in his role ; but Garry Marshall took him aside and said `` No , no , no , Richard . In this movie , one of you moves and one of you does not . Guess which one you are ? '' Julia Roberts was not the first choice for the role of Vivian , and was not wanted by Disney . Many other actresses were considered . Marshall originally envisioned Karen Allen for the role ; when she declined , auditions went to many better - known actresses of the time including Molly Ringwald , who turned it down because she felt uncomfortable playing a sex worker . Winona Ryder auditioned , but was turned down because Marshall felt she was `` too young '' . Jennifer Connelly was also dismissed for the same reason . </P>
who was originally offered the role of pretty woman
who was originally offered the role of pretty woman
Karen Allen
Karen Allen