Vince Vaughn, while working with Mel Gibson on Hacksaw Ridge, showed Gibson the screenplay for this film, and talked-up writer/director S. Craig Zahler and his vision. Gibson was responsive to the material and agreed to star immediately.
According to many associated with the production, it was long thought that this film would have a wide theatrical release in the US. However, it was rumored that Lionsgate requested the film be edited down to an "audience friendly" 130 minutes which was met with much disdain from director, S. Craig Zahler. Considering his final cut clause in his contract, Lionsgate opted to release the film in a limited theatrical run and same day digital through Summit Entertainment, mirroring the other Zahler releases. The film stands uncut and unedited at 159 minutes.
As with most Mel Gibson films that are produced without the backing of a major studio, the film was distributed in Australia by his own company Icon Films.
The first film directed by S. Craig Zahler to receive an official rating from the MPAA. His previous films were released as unrated.
Michael Jai White expressed in an interview that he was pleasantly surprised when Mel Gibson warmly approached him, explaining that he was a huge fan of Jai White and his action films, specifically Blood and Bone (2009).