Trivia / Danny the Dog

• Actor-Inspired Element: Sam was at first not blind at all. After hearing from a piano school for the blind (with a very high reputation, and where the scholars developed their hearing), Morgan Freeman had the idea of making his character blind because like this it is easier for Sam to "see" the child in Danny, and not the brutal killer.
• Dawson Casting: Danny is implied to be in his mid-to-late twenties. Jet Li was 42 when filming began, though the fact he looks much younger (and the fact that his character has lived a hard life) makes his budding romance with the teenaged Victoria less squicky.
• Dyeing for Your Art: Bob Hoskins actually cut Jet Li's hair like he does in the film.
• Method Acting: Jet Li actually lived in a kennel while filming.
• What Could Have Been: The role of Bart was originally written for Albert Finney, who dropped out to do Big Fish. Billy Connolly was initially cast, but he had to drop out due to other projects overrunning. Other candidates included Michael Caine, Brian Cox and Anthony Hopkins.