John Cusack and the screenwriters wrote the script with Jack Black in mind for the role of Barry. He nearly turned the role down, but reconsidered.
Nick Hornby had no problem with the film version relocating the action from London to Chicago, as he felt that the book was about a lot more than just geography.
John Cusack originally wanted Bob Dylan for the Bruce Springsteen cameo part, but Dylan was unavailable.
Stevie Wonder originally performed the closing track "I Believe" before Art Garfunkel and Peter Frampton covered it. All three are artists that Rob, Dick, and Barry ridicule in the movie.
The Marie DeSalle CD Rob pops in has the following tracks listed on it:
- 1. Baby I Love Your Way
- 2. Eartha Kitt Times Two (Patsy Cline Times Two in some versions)
- 3. S.O.S. fantômes (1984)
- 4. Beat It
- 5. Baby Got Back
- 6. 911 is a Joke
- 7. I Will Survive
- 8. Mmm Bop
- 9. My Heart Will Go On
- 10. You Can't Have It
- 11. The Time is Now