Tommy Wiseau credits this movie as the reason he gave James Franco the green light to portray him in The Disaster Artist (2017).
In 2010, New York Magazine reported that while doing research for his role in Sonny (2002), James Franco visited male strip clubs in New Orleans and also followed a male prostitute around, even into a hotel room while the prostitute did his job.
Nicolas Cage directs Scott Caan in this film. Cage's uncle, Francis Ford Coppola, directed Caans' father, James Caan, in Le Parrain (1972), in which his character was called Sonny.
Harry Dean Stanton and Nicolas Cage appeared together in Sailor & Lula (1990). He also appeared in Le Parrain, 2ᵉ partie (1974)., directed by his uncle, Francis Ford Coppola.
Josie Davis' only career nude scene.