In October 2006, while filming this movie, Wesley Snipes was indicted on a litany of tax-dodging charges, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Production on the film began before the Grand Jury returned the indictment. On Dec. 8th, 2006 Snipes flew into his hometown of Orlando on a private jet and voluntarily turned himself in. Snipes pleaded not guilty to all charges; he was released on $1 million bond and allowed to return to Africa to finish this movie.
Aman's voice-over was performed by a sound-alike actor as Wesley Snipes was unavailable due to his legal troubles.
The movie was originally titled "The Wretched"; Chow Yun-Fat, Paz Vega and Catalina Sandino Moreno were attached to star. Production was scheduled to begin in June 2005 in New Mexico, but it didn't happen.
The lead character was originally named Kaos.