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Originally, Scout Taylor-Compton had auditioned for the role of Joan Jett. In order to prepare for this role, Scout began to try and learn some of The Runaways songs on guitar. Then she ended up trying out for Sandy West because she already knew how to play drums. Then they wanted her to try for the role of Robin, so she had to try and learn how to play the bass guitar until finally, they ended up giving her the role of Lita Ford, where then she ended up having to learn how to play the guitar.
Joan Jett was irritated with the fact that Kristen Stewart was constantly in leather pants. She stated in the Blu-ray commentary that jeans would have been more accurate because she never wore leather pants. However, there are many pictures of Joan Jett from this period in which she is wearing leather pants.
In the Blu-ray commentary, Joan Jett states it was the Canadian rock band Rush that bullied The Runaways from having a sound check.
Dakota Fanning borrowed a belt from Cherie Currie to wear in this movie. Joan Jett recognized the belt in the Blu-ray commentary and stated Cherie wore it constantly while touring with The Runaways.
A character mentions Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley's divorce as a sign of the decline of rock and roll. Cherie's sister Marie is played in this movie by Riley Keough, who is the granddaughter of that short union.
The scene where Kim Fowley brings the boys into the rehearsal trailer to heckle the girls and throw objects at them was 100% accurate. Joan Jett stated that Kim Fowley had to do the "heckler's drills" with the group for a significant amount of time because she was too shy on stage.