According to John Stockwell, having the popular Gina Carino come onboard is why they could find financing.
Gina Carano (Ava) and Amaury Nolasco (Silvio) have both starred in a Fast & Furious franchise movie. Gina played Riley in Fast & Furious 6. Amaury played Orange Julius in 2 Fast 2 Furious.
Gina Carano and Ismael Cruz Cordova would both go on to star in The Mandalorian on Disney + in 2019
John Stockwell said they hadn't thought of casting Gina Carino yet when they started writing the script, but she was a prototype for the role after seeing her in Haywire (2011). They were excited when she later agreed to star.
Gina Carano plays a 26 year old in the film. At the time of shooting however, the actress was 30 years old.