The real-life Mike Stangle and Dave Stangle make a cameo during the scene when cousin Terry offers to be the middle of a sandwich between two men that walk by.
This film was inspired by the true story of brothers Mike Stangle and Dave Stangle. In October 2013, they placed an ad on Craigslist seeking dates for their cousin's wedding. They described their ideal dates as "attractive ("or our aunts will judge you") but not too attractive ("or one of our uncles might grope you"), easygoing ("as we'll probably make up flattering lies about you on the spot") and preferably sisters ("but we'll take friends, or even enemies"). They also needed to own their own dresses ("because we don't have any")." The ad continued, "We're both in our 20s, single, dashingly tall, Anglo-Saxon, respectfully athletic, love to party, completely house trained, relaxed, passionate, smell great, have cool hair, clean up nice, boast great tie collections, will promise to shave, love our mother, have seen Love Actually several times, controversial, provocative, short-sighted (with a big picture mentality), raw, emotional, sensitive but still bad boys."
Upon learning that he had secured the role, Adam Devine undertook specialized training to gain muscle in order to look like the brother of Zac Efron. During filming, the two would regularly work out together - a strategy that also strengthened their brotherly connection.
Mike and Dave's Craigslist ad received about 6,000 responses.
According to the Times Union website, the Stangle brothers' real life Craigs List " . . . ad went viral, got them on the Today (1952) show and created such a stir that the brothers quickly found themselves with a book and movie deal, a possibility alluded to in the original posting." The Stangles said: "If this happens (we estimate the chances at 85%) we refuse ... to let Ashton Kutcher play either of our characters, however, we will consider him for a supporting role."