The shooting of the film is discussed by Art Linson in his 2002 book "What Just Happened?", later made into a film starring Robert De Niro. Initially called "Bookworm", the script was turned down by Harrison Ford and Dustin Hoffman before Alec Baldwin settled on the role of Green. De Niro showed some interest in the role of Morse but ultimately declined. Baldwin's unwillingness to shave a beard that he had grown for the role is reenacted by Bruce Willis in Barry Levinson's adaptation of Linson's book.