Anecdotes

Chon cutting a guard's artery with a knife while asking for the time was one of the tactics told to Taylor Kitsch by his real life SEAL technical advisor.

For legal reasons, all the marijuana plants in the film are artificial. The production designers visited legal medical marijuana growers to get the details right.

The character of Elena is loosely based on Mireya Moreno Carreon, the first known Mexican female cartel boss.

Taylor Kitsch received training from real Navy SEALs as a part of his preparation for the film.

Taylor Kitsch performed his own stunts.

Oliver Stone: appears as a dancer on the France cardboard skit in the extended version.