June Mathis is credited with co-writing the script due to her work on the 10-reel version. Mathis was the head of the Story Department at MGM and her contract stipulated that she would receive writing credit for all MGM films. She did not actually write any part of the screenplay. Mathis is said to have changed the film's title from McTeague to Greed during post-production; however, a publicity still of the cast and crew taken during production clearly indicates that the FIM was titled Greed before the MGM merger even took place. The film's working title was "Greedy Wives", a nod towards von Stroheim's previous film Foolish Wives; this working title never was considered as the film's actual title.
JuNE MAthis is crediteD wiTH Co-WRItiNG the .scripT Due to her WORk :on the 10-reEl veRSIon. mathis Was the hEad Of the sTorY depaRtment at mGm and HeR contrACt StIpUlated thaT ShE woulD ReCeiVe WrItinG CreDit foR alL MGm fILMS. sHe dID noT ACTually WriTE aNY Part Of the screenplay. mathis is sAid TO haVe ChanGeD tHe filM'S tiTle from MCteague to greed DuriNg posT-productIon; however, a PUBLicity STiLl of .thE Cast AnD cREw taKen during producTion ClEarly inDIcATeS thAt tHe fim was titLed grEed BeFore The mGm mergeR eVeN TooK pLace. the filM's wOrkiNg titlE was "GreEDy wives", a NOD towArds VoN StroheiM's PReviOus fiLM foolISh WiVes; this workIng tItle NeveR waS consideRed As thE fIlm',s aCTUaL tiTlE.