Embry's surname was originally Langan instead of Larkin. Whenever anyone says Larkin it's evident from the movement of their mouths that they were saying Langan during filming and Larkin was dubbed in after shooting had wrapped.
As part of his contract for making Primal Fear (1996), Edward Norton was under contract with Paramount to star in two of the studio's future films. When Paramount threatened to pull the actor from his starring role in Fight Club (1999) to fulfill his contractual obligations, Norton and his lawyer re-negotiated the deal so that he only owed Paramount one film. Norton suggested The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) or Mission: Impossible III (2006) and Paramount countered by offering him the male lead in The Core (2003) and Benjamin Bratt's role in Abandon. He rejected both and was told he'd either have to star in The Italian Job (2003) or be taken to court, and agreed to appear in the film to avoid a costly lawsuit.
Writer/director Stephen Gaghan marked his directorial debut with this film.