The character "Sota" is inspired by one card of the Spanish playing caeds deck, equivalent to the Jack in the international deck, from which Sota is given a very similar look. Also, the name of the villain, Heraclio, matches the best known publisher of card decks in Spain, Heraclio Fournier.
Dame Julie Walters (Gran) and Saoirse Ronan (Talia) appeared in Brooklyn (2015).
Rupert Everett and Antonio Banderas started together in the Shrek series of films which follow similar themes.