In keeping with the spirit of the film, writer and director Michel Gondry "Sweded" a version of this movie's trailer, featuring only himself on-screen.
Michel Gondry insisted on using the inhabitants of Passaic, New Jersey, where the film was shot, and is set, as extras, and some as prominent actors throughout the film. The scene where the inhabitants get to see "Fats Waller was Born in Passaic" (the biopic, and only non-Sweded production) playing on the video store window, actually featured the inhabitants watching the movie they had worked long and hard on, for the very first time.
Jack Black's character performed his own version of the Ghostbusters (1984) theme song because the legal department didn't know if they could get the rights to Ray Parker, Jr.'s song.
Michel Gondry was inspired to make this film after making Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005), which took place on one city block. Dave Chappelle was interested in playing Mike, and came up with ideas of remaking Driving Miss Daisy (1989), Rush Hour 2 (2001), and Boyz n the Hood (1991).
During the first scene within the "Be Kind Rewind" video store, a music video can be seen playing on the television behind the check-out counter. It's the music video for "Ma Maison" by French rock group Oui Oui, which Michel Gondry directed. Gondry was also the drummer for Oui Oui when they were still together between 1983 and 1992.
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