Greta Gerwig’s Unlikely Lifeline: Roles She Took Just for Cash
Long before her directorial triumphs, Greta Gerwig accepted big studio roles out of necessity, calling them a lifeline during her toughest financial days.
Today, Greta Gerwig is celebrated as one of the most influential directors of her era. Her work behind the camera on Lady Bird and Little Women earned her Oscar nods, and Barbie’s record-breaking box office run in 2023 made her the first solo female director to cross the billion-dollar mark. She even managed to outpace Christopher Nolan in ticket sales, a feat that eluded even the likes of Martin Scorsese. Yet, before this string of successes, Gerwig spent years immersed in the world of mumblecore, a genre so niche that financial reward was never the motivation. Films like Baghead were made for the love of the craft, not for a paycheque.
From Indie Roots to Studio Sets
By 2010, Gerwig’s artistic pursuits had left her in a precarious position. Despite collaborating with Joe Swanberg on several projects, she found herself struggling to cover basic expenses. It was at this low point that she agreed to appear in two major studio productions: No Strings Attached and Arthur. The first, a romantic comedy featuring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher, cast Gerwig as Patrice, a fellow doctor and confidante with a less-than-stellar romantic history. The second, a remake of a 1981 classic, starred Russell Brand as a wealthy layabout, with Gerwig playing his love interest. The experience, by her own admission, was hardly glamorous, and the compensation, she felt, was far from adequate.
Turning Point Amidst Uncertainty
Despite her reservations, these roles arrived at a crucial moment. On the eve of Greenberg’s premiere—a film that would mark her breakthrough—Gerwig was so short of funds she had nowhere to stay. The offers from No Strings Attached and Arthur seemed almost providential. In her own words:
“I don’t care if people don’t like those movies. Those movies saved my fucking life.”
The financial stability they provided allowed her to continue pursuing her passion without compromise.
Choosing Integrity Over Easy Success
With Greenberg’s success, Gerwig began a fruitful partnership with Noah Baumbach, which eventually led to marriage. Subsequent roles in Frances Ha and Mistress America cemented her reputation in independent cinema. Rather than chasing further mainstream opportunities, she gravitated towards auteur-driven projects such as 20th Century Women and Jackie. Her decision to return to independent films, rather than capitalising on easy studio money, speaks volumes about her commitment to her craft. The trajectory from obscure indie productions to critically acclaimed features is a testament to her vision and restraint, as much as her talent on screen.