- Ron Howard was originally set to direct the film, but left the project to direct Ransom (1996). He stayed on as Executive Producer on the film.
- Brad Pitt was committed to playing Adam Hall, but left the project when Ron Howard left to direct Ransom (1996).
- William Goldman, who wrote the early drafts, was reportedly unsatisfied with the re-writes and never saw the finished movie
- In a 2006 BBC TV Culture Show interview, John Grisham stated that this was the adaptation of his work he liked least
- Universal paid $7 million for the rights to John Grisham's novel.
- The film debut of Bo Jackson, who was a celebrated two-sport baseball and football player. He was cast by the producers because of both his charms and the intimidating stature both that would be perfect for the role of a prison guard.
- The character of Rollie Wedge was beefed up considerably from the novel with the aim that Jack Nicholson would play him. Things didn't quite go according to plan and the part went to the lesser known actor, Raymond J. Barry, instead.
>>> WARNING: Here Be Spoilers <<<
Trivia items below here contain information that may give away important plot points. You may not want to read any further if you've not already seen this title.
- SPOILER: The execution scene was filmed in the actual gas chamber at Parchman Penitentiary.
- SPOILER: During the execution scene at the end of the film, one of the members of the crowd cheering and holding scenes at the prison holds up a cardboard sign reading, "suck gas, evildoer". This is the trademark battle cry of Darkwing Duck, from the Disney TV series about a duck superhero who uses a gas weapon against criminals.
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