The film takes its inspiration from the real-life story of FBI agent Michael German, who helped co-write the script
Production staff used a bicycle to travel between filming locations in downtown Hopewell. After filming was completed, the bicycle was autographed by production staff and Daniel Radcliffe, and was donated to the City of Hopewell. The bicycle sold at auction for more than $2,000, with all proceeds benefiting the Hopewell United Way campaign.
The name "Imperium" is Latin but commonly used in German, meaning "empire", and is synonymous with the German word "Reich", although never in the context of the German Empire ("das deutsche Kaiserreich") or the Third Reich ("das dritte Reich"). However, English-speaking Neonazis do frequently refer to a "Western Imperium" as a theoretical future global empire following their political and philosophical views.
Burn Gorman, Morgan and Seth Numrich, Roy, appear together in AMC's Turn, Washington's Spies.
Both Burn Gorman (Morgan) and Nestor Carbonell appeared in the Dark Knight Trilogy. Gorman portrayed Stryver while Carbonell portrayed the mayor of Gotham City.