Creator-Preferred Adaptation: Tracy Chevalier, the author of the book on which the film is based, said she was pleased with the final result.
Deleted Role: David Morrissey filmed a subplot as a friend of Vermeer, but all his scenes were deleted.
Fake Nationality: The Dutch characters are played by actors using English accents.
Referenced by...: St Trinian's (2007) has the girls from the title school stealing the painting, which they twice compare to the movie: "we're gonna steal Scarlett Johansson?" and "I can see why Colin Firth wanted to shag her!"
The project was greenlit as a vehicle for Ralph Fiennes and Kate Hudson. The latter dropped out because she didn't want to wear a wimple for the role, resulting in the funding being pulled. By the time more money was acquired, the original director Mike Newell had moved on to another project. Ralph Fiennes too had to move on to other projects due to waiting too long.
Kirsten Dunst was the second choice for Griet and was cast. But she dropped out to do Spider-Man (coincidentally taking the role that Kate Hudson turned down).
Publisher-Chosen Title: Johannes Vermeer's inventory did not provide a title for this painting, so after a while, it was just decided by art academics to give it a very descriptive name and leave it at that.
