The studio wanted someone from the cast of That '70s Show (1998) for the role of Carter and had originally given it to Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher dropped out due to creative differences, and Topher Grace auditioned and got the part. Grace had auditioned four times for the role, and had to convince producer Paul Weitz that he was right for the role, by highlighting his raising by his father, a businessman with sharp negotiation skills.
When Alex (Scarlett Johansson) is moving in to the NYU dorm, she and Dan (Dennis Quaid) walk past a poster in the dorm hallway. Showing an enormous marijuana leaf, the full text of the poster reads "Marijuana. Because Your Friends Just Aren't Very Funny."
Dan (Dennis Quaid) and Alex (Scarlett Johansson) last name is Foreman. Topher Grace (Carter) played Eric Foreman in the TV series That 70's Show
The first time Carter (Topher Grace) visits Alex (Scarlett Johansson) in her NYU dorm room, she puts on the song "Besame." In season 2, episode 21 of That 70s Show (in which Topher Grace was the star), Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) sings this song in an attempt to serenade Jackie (Mila Kunis).