Filmed over a period of 19 days in Jackson, Mississippi, in 117 degrees Summer temperatures.
Inspired by Elegance Bratton's true story of being homeless for a decade after being kicked out of the house by his mother for being gay. When he joined the Marines, he needed to retrieve his birth certificate from his mother as depicted in the film. His mother passed away shortly after the film was greenlit but Gabrielle Union was allowed to wear some of her jewelry plus use the actual family Bible as a prop.
Gunnery Sergeant Leland Laws is played by Bokeem Woodbine, who also played a Marine Gunnery Sergeant in La Roca (1996).