A long-rumored sequel to the iconic romantic comedy Pretty Woman is reportedly back on track, nearly 35 years after the original film captured hearts worldwide. According to fresh reports, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are said to be “on board” to reprise their legendary roles, following renewed public interest sparked by a fake AI-generated poster earlier this year.
The digitally created poster, which circulated widely over the summer, hinted at a Pretty Woman sequel and quickly went viral. Although the image was later confirmed to be fake and initial sequel reports were dismissed, the overwhelming fan reaction appears to have changed minds behind the scenes. As reported by The Mirror, the buzz prompted both Roberts, 58, and Gere, 76, to enter detailed discussions with Disney executives.
An industry insider revealed that while no contracts have been signed yet, early script development is already underway. “Barring any unforeseen problems, both Richard and Julia are on board,” the source said, adding that Pretty Woman 2 now “appears to be on.”
Released in 1990, Pretty Woman remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved rom-coms. Roberts was just 22 when she starred as Vivien Ward opposite Gere’s billionaire businessman Edward Lewis. The film followed their unlikely arrangement-turned-romance and became a cultural phenomenon.
The reported sequel marks a notable shift for Roberts, who previously expressed doubts about revisiting the story. In a 2019 interview, she suggested the film might not translate well to modern times, despite its enduring popularity.
Casting history also adds intrigue to the franchise. Actors such as Sean Connery, Al Pacino, and Burt Reynolds were once considered for Edward Lewis, before Gere landed the role.
While plot details remain tightly under wraps, fans are once again hopeful that Pretty Woman could return to the big screen—this time for a new generation.