Burt Reynolds and Director Dick Richards came to blows on the film. When the smoke settled, Richards had a broken jaw, courtesy of Reynolds. Noted TV Director Jerry Jamieson was brought in to complete the film. Richards later successfully sued Reynolds for damages in court. Richards never directed another feature film.
Robert Altman bowed out as the original director because US Immigration denied a visa to Altman's Canadian cameraman, Pierre Mignot.
According to writer William Goldman, at least six directors worked on this film at different times.
Robert Altman, who almost directed this movie, would direct Burt Reynolds in a classic scene from The Player in which Burt, playing himself, talks about how much he hates people in Hollywood.
One awkward scene has Burt Reynolds, famous for having worn hairpieces throughout his career, including this movie, takes a hairpiece of a character and starts making fun of the guy, and the piece.