DIRECTOR TRADEMARK (Renny Harlin): (Finland): Finnish coat of arms and flag is seen on the mirror behind Tom (Samuel L. Jackson) when he's having conversation with Eddie (Ed Harris) in the hotel room.
DIRECTOR TRADEMARK (Renny Harlin): (Finland): In the scene when Tom (Samuel L. Jackson) tells Eddie (Ed Harris) about the book of bribed officers, "Helsinki" (capital of Finland) is spray painted on a concrete pillar.
Principal photography was completed one day ahead of schedule, on March 15, 2007. It was also Director Renny Harlin's 48th birthday.
Actor Samuel L. Jackson personally asked Renny Harlin to direct. Both felt that the film would be a welcome change from their previous collaborations The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) and Deep Blue Sea (1999).
The film was mostly shot in the city of Shreveport in Louisiana (doubling for Trenton in New Jersey). Many parts of the city still bore the mark of Hurricane Katrina.