Like any true Gen Z-er, Elle Fanning speaks in internet shorthand. Take her explanation for how she came to produce Margo’s Got Money Troubles, a star-studded Apple TV adaptation of Rufi Thorpe’s novel out today: “It was like the Spider-Man meme.”
Fanning and her sister Dakota—who share the production company Lewellen Pictures—were eager to take on the project even before the book was published. And they weren’t the only ones: A24, Nicole Kidman, and producer David E. Kelley were all interested in Margo when they decided they’d be better off working together. “We know each other,” Fanning says of joining forces. “We should all team up.”
While she worked behind the scenes, Fanning also took on the title role of Margo Millet, a 20-year-old college student who becomes pregnant after an affair with her professor (Michael Angarano). A single mother facing mounting bills, Margo turns to OnlyFans to support herself and her son, Bodhi. The cast also includes Michelle Pfeiffer as Margo’s mother, Shyanne, a former Hooters waitress; Nick Offerman as her father, Jinx, a former professional wrestler; and Kidman as Lace, another wrestler who becomes Margo’s mediator in court.
Though audiences may still remember her as a wide-eyed child actor (she started at age three), this isn’t Fanning’s first time playing a mother—that was Catherine in The Great. “Catherine was a very different mother. She was not very maternal,” Fanning says. Margo offered a different challenge: “She’s willing to go to any length for Bodhi to have a better life than she did.”
Margo’s turn to sex work—both as a source of survival and a creative outlet (on OnlyFans, she adopts an alien persona named Hungry Ghost)—also intrigued Fanning. For research, she spent time on OnlyFans learning more about the site’s wide range of content creators. “There’s a real spectrum to it,” she says. “At first you might think of something extreme, but then there are also people who just cook or step in butter.” For Margo, joining the site wasn’t a source of shame but of empowerment. “That’s also why I was drawn to the material,” Fanning explains. “It was about Margo finding her agency, and how her relationship to her body changes through motherhood and through OnlyFans.”
While Margo’s mature content has allowed Fanning to grow as an actor, it’s her work offscreen that’s really laying the groundwork for her future. “I was really hands-on with it,” Fanning says. “I think it’s the perfect next step for me.”
Fanning’s lifetime on sets had already taught her how to run a production. “It’s something I learned from Sofia Coppola,” she says. “She’s a very loyal person and works with her friends. That’s something I’ve taken into account—trying to be loyal and work with the same team that understands you to create something exciting.”
On Fanning’s team is her childhood friend from ballet class, Sadie, who choreographed the TikTok dance numbers, and Laura Gary, the studio teacher. “She taught me throughout high school,” Fanning says, so when it came time to find a studio teacher to look after the babies on Margo, Fanning immediately thought of Gary. “I think it was a mind meld for her. She’s like, ‘I used to teach you as a kid, and now you’re playing a mom,’” Fanning says with a laugh. “Keeping it all in the family!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the news that Elle Fanning is starring in Margos Got Money Troubles
General Project Details
Q What is Margos Got Money Troubles
A Its an upcoming movie based on the bestselling novel by Rufi Thorpe Its a dark comedydrama about a young single mother who turns her unconventional life into a successful podcast
Q Who is starring in it
A Elle Fanning is set to play the lead role of Margo Other cast members include Nicole Kidman Kiernan Shipka and Javier Bardem
Q Who is directing and producing it
A The film is being directed by Michael Showalter Its produced by a team including Nicole Kidman and Per Saari through their Blossom Films company
Q Is there a trailer or release date yet
A Not yet The project was recently announced as being in development so filming likely hasnt started A release date is probably at least a year or two away
About Elle Fannings Role
Q What character will Elle Fanning play
A She will play Margo a 20yearold community college student who becomes a single mother after an affair with her English professor The story follows her chaotic journey into adulthood
Q Why is this considered a major move for Elle Fanning
A After leading the critically acclaimed Hulu series The Great for three seasons this marks her return to a highprofile film project Its a complex starring role in a buzzy adaptation with an Alist cast and director signaling a big next step in her film career
Q Has Elle Fanning done roles like this before
A While shes played dramatic and comedic roles the specific blend of dark comedy raw vulnerability and the journey of motherhood in this story is new territory for her making it an exciting challenge
About the Story Themes
Q Whats the bookmovie really about
A Beyond the plot its a sharp funny and poignant exploration of modern womanhood financial instability the power of storytelling and making a family on your own unconventional terms