Anecdotes

RZA and Eli Roth worked on the screenplay together over two years, talking through every aspect of the story, down to the detail of every weapon.

The character was partly inspired by RZA's late cousin Ol' Dirty Bastard. Crowe based his performance on Clint Eastwood in L'Inspecteur Harry (1971) and Josey Wales hors-la-loi (1976). Crowe agreed to join the cast because of his previous working relationship with RZA. Crowe was only able to spend 10 days filming his scenes.

The first cut of the film was four hours long. RZA suggested splitting it into two films, but producer Eli Roth disagreed, and it was ultimately cut down to approximately 90 minutes.

Russell Crowe agreed to do the movie in return for RZA giving some rap lessons to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, a rugby league team he co-owns.

The Abbott, played by Gordon Liu, is the same character referred to by Bill in Kill Bill: Vol 2 as he recounts 'The Legend of Pei Mei' to "The Bride" around the camp fire. He is the ancestor of "The Bride"'s master in Kill Bill.