Richard Dreyfuss stated his disappointment with the film in an appearance on The View (1997). He said it was "6/8 of a good film" and called Oliver Stone "a fascist". Stone retorted in an interview that working with Dreyfuss "was the single worst experience I've ever had with an actor in my life."
Oliver Stone and George W. Bush were both in Yale's class of 1968, though Stone dropped out after one year and went to Vietnam instead of graduating, while Bush graduated with his class.
Oliver Stone and Josh Brolin both later claimed that they were informed by sources that President Bill Clinton had personally handed President George W. Bush a DVD of the film, assuring Bush that he'd enjoy it.
Christian Bale was initially cast as George W. Bush, and even underwent weeks of prosthetics tests before filming began. However, he withdrew from the production at the last minute, prompting Oliver Stone to immediately look for a replacement. Josh Brolin was subsequently given the role following his notable performances in Onde os Fracos Não Têm Vez (2007) and O Gângster (2007). Bale would play Bush's Vice President, Dick Cheney, ten years later in Vice (2018).
Josh Brolin prepared for his role as George W. Bush by telephoning hotels in Texas and talking to the people simply to hear the accent. He also watched videos of George W. Bush to try to get the style of his walk right.