Greta Lee Opens Up About the Humiliation of Being Confused With Greta Gerwig and Missing Out on a Role
Greta Lee reveals how being mistaken for director Greta Gerwig by a producer intensified the embarrassment she felt when initially not being cast in the film 'Past Lives'
Greta Lee and Greta Gerwig Getty Images (2)
Greta Lee is remembering the "humiliation" of being mistaken for director Greta Gerwig.
The Past Lives star, 40, shared that she was initially overlooked for her part in the A24 romantic drama — and a later confusion with the Barbie director, also 40, added to the pain of rejection.
During the "Actors on Actors" interview with Andrew Scott published on December 13, Lee shared a humiliating experience. He received a call from a producer, assumed he got a job, only to find out it was meant for Greta Gerwig. Scott was shocked by the story and reacted, "You're joking me!"
“No, I'm not,” Lee responded. "I really wish I was, but that's actually what happened. They just got us confused. I'm not sure if they just looked us up on Google and found our phone numbers."
Greta Lee Variety/YouTube
The actress from The Morning Show revealed that the incident led her to finally come to terms with not being a part of Past Lives. "It couldn't have been more obvious to me at that moment... that it simply wasn't meant to be mine," Lee reminisced.
Following a second audition with writer and director Celine Song, Lee successfully landed the role of Nora. Lee revealed that she was invited to have a virtual meeting with Song a year after her initial audition due to the casting producers' desire for older actors.
"It was a vulnerable and exposing moment because there was no opportunity to craft a perfect performance," Lee commented on the impromptu meeting.
"I then joked, 'It was one of those rare moments where I felt like, "This job is already Greta Gerwig's, so I'm just going to do exactly what I could do in my dreams."'
"
Greta Gerwig Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
After Lee read scenes with Song, 35, on a video call, the director offered her the role on the spot.
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Lee remembered, "It was crazy. It was overwhelming."
"Past Lives" tells the story of two childhood friends who reunite after a long separation. It premiered in June and has garnered six nominations for the 2024 Golden Globe Awards, including Best Drama Film, generating additional Oscar speculation. Lee herself received a nomination for her performance in the film.
