"I Married a Witch" was produced by Paramount Pictures, and had the working title of "He Married a Witch". Director René Clair was looking for a new project after his first American film, "The Flame of New Orleans" (1941). His agent sent him a copy of "The Passionate Witch". Clair took it to Preston Sturges, then in favor at Paramount, who convinced Clair and the studio that it would be a good vehicle for Veronica Lake, with Sturges as producer. Paramount bought the film rights in October 1941. Dalton Trumbo was signed to write the script.