Based on the novel "Memory" by Donald E. Westlake, which was written in 1963 and published posthumously in 2010. The novel was retitled "The Actor" and re-published in January 2025 ahead of the film's release in March 2025.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson was considered for the role of Paul Cole. In 2021, Ryan Gosling was attached to star and produce the film, but he later dropped out and was replaced by André Holland in 2022. Gosling remained in the film as an executive producer.
Duke Johnson's first solo feature film directing credit. He had previously co-directed the Oscar-nominated animated film Anomalisa (2015) with Charlie Kaufman, this film's executive producer.
Filming took place in Budapest, Hungary between November 2022 and April 2023.