Originally set up in 2002 with Tony Scott directing, Robert De Niro playing Amand Degas, and Quentin Tarantino playing Richie Nix.
All the scenes involving corrupt cop Ferris Britton (Johnny Knoxville) were cut from the final movie because test screening audiences found the movie too confusing with these scenes.
The script had uncredited rewrites by late producer/directors Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella. The film was also dedicated to their memory in the end credits.
Bruce Willis was originally set to star as Wayne Colson after he acquired the rights for the film in 1989.
The release date changed several times because the film has undergone a series of re-shoots after its original completion date in January 2006.