This film was the result of "Project Greenlight," the first-time-director competition launched by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Miramax, and was the subject of the HBO documentary of the same name, which aired in Winter 2002. The documentary revealed many behind-the-scenes snafus, which led to the mid-production firing of co-producer Jeff Balis.
'Penn, Sean' was offered the role Joe O'Malley, but turned it down and did I Am Sam (2001) in which he was nominated for an Oscar.
After co-Producer Jeff Balis was fired, the executive Producer changed his mind the next day, crediting a conversation with his wife the night before.