In the last courtroom scene, Steven's lawyer is played by the real-life Phillip Morris.
The film is based on the real life story of Steven Jay Russell.
While filming at the Orleans Parish Prison, an extra dressed as an inmate left the set in costume to put some belongings away in his car, and a real corrections officer arrested the extra.
Jim Carrey shaved his hairline back because he thought of his character Steven Russell as a very cerebral person.
Steven tells Phillip that Friday the 13th is his lucky day. Several of the key events of the movie are shown happening on Friday 13th.