This was Linda Fiorentino's very first audition straight out of drama school. She got the part, and it was her feature film debut.
This was filmed largely on location in and around Spokane, Washington State, USA. and used many local citizens in small parts and as extras.
The scene with Shute training takes place at Joe Albi Stadium, in Spokane. It played host to high school football for over seventy years, as well as the Washington State Cougar Crimson and Grey game, until its demolition in 2021.
Terry Davis, the author of the book, is the mustached man wearing a Thompson High Jacket similar to Louden's sitting and cheering next to actor Harold Sylvester, who plays Mr Tanneran, during the final match between Louden and Shute.
At Louden's first wrestling match at his desired weight, the high school band plays the Ewok Theme song from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, which came out the year Vision Quest was filmed.