The shooting of the film was so much fun, especially for Roberts. In a memorable scene where Vivian was conversing with Edward while she was in the bathtub, she became ecstatic upon learning that she’d be making so much money from their deal. She was so happy that she dipped underwater.
Meanwhile, Richard Gere pulled a prank on her and the production crew by disappearing from the set before she could arise back out of the water, which she found amusing.
The Devastating Earthquake of 1989
Edward and Vivian watching the Italian opera "La Traviata" was one of the more memorable scenes in the movie, and locals who know the area are aware that it was shot in Los Angeles. But the actors were supposed to work on it in San Francisco.
The production set had to be moved at the last minute to the history museum of the University of Southern California due to a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that devastated parts of the city. It caused 67 people dead, leaving damages worth $5 billion.
Knight in Shining Armor
It would seem that Vivian was alluding to the end of the story when she talked about her childhood dream of being rescued by a knight from being a captive in a tower by a terrible, wicked queen but, believe it or not, when the scene was being shot, the movie’s ending had not yet been written.
Pure coincidence? What do you think?
Fist Fight
Richard Gere appeared to have gotten carried away when his character fought with his own lawyer, Philip Stuckey after the latter slapped Vivian. They got entangled after it, and Gere clipped him, accidentally breaking a crown off his tooth.
All was good, but it makes one wonder if he had been set off subconsciously, watching such a beautiful face being slapped, albeit part of an act.
He Was Afraid to Make the Same Mistake Twice
Richard Gere, at first, was not even slightly convinced about playing the bland role of Edward Lewis. It took a little while before Julia Roberts would eventually convince him, but another factor may have come into play, aside from his chemistry with Roberts, that also prompted him to take the job.
Gere regretted not taking the role of Gordon Gekko three years prior, whose character profile was similar to Lewis’. Michael Douglas was subsequently picked for Gekko’s character in the movie "Wall Street" (1987) and won an Academy Award for it. This might have silently haunted Gere for years, thinking the role and the award could have been his.