It was originally intended that the movie would be made in English with Hessian subtitles. There were about 45 drafts of the screenplay since the first draft was completed in the fall of 2001.
In the scene after the 'Rodensteiner' was defeated by 'Doc Wood' appears 'Mafalda Orchid' played by Christine Richter. 'Mafalda Orchids' hand in the following close-up was replaced by Martina Reifenberger because Christine Richter was not on the set when the close-up was shot.
The character Rodensteiner was played by six different people. Roberto Cappelluti was the lead actor, Alexander Glosauer did the sword fights and Anja Anspach, a well versed horsewoman did the horse-riding. Frederik Szebel, Marc Menningmann and Marc Wendisch replaced the knight in some other scenes with full armor.
Martin Schneider was originally intended to play Mischel but refused. He still appears at the end of the movie and says some final words.
Monty Arnold was intended to play Rudi Blob, the second garbageman beside Vince Ebert. He was last-minute replaced by 'Jörg Hofmann'. In the final movie, Ebert and Hofmann switched their roles. That's why Vince Ebert calls his partner "Vincent!" after he disappears in the wood.