Ava DuVernay had wanted David Oyelowo to star in the movie but before she could approach him a friend of hers who was considering investing in the film asked an actor on a plane his opinion of the script. The actor was Oyelowo, who contacted DuVernay and asked for the part.
For this film Ava DuVernay won the Best Director Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, becoming the first African-American woman to win it.
Sanaa Lathan and Idris Elba were initially attached to the project when it was being shopped around to studios.
Emayatzy Corinealdi originally auditioned for the role of Rosie.
Principal photography for the film occurred in just 19 days, something Ava DuVernay regrets about the production as she wished she could have spent more time on the film to be more sure about it.