Executive Meddling: Kerouac originally wanted to publish the novel with all the real names intact, but his publisher refused and forced him to use Author Avatars.
The movie
Actor-Inspired Element: Amy Adams, who had just given birth before filming, opted to not wear too much makeup and let her natural tiredness influence her performance as a drug addict.
Garret Hedlund remained attached as soon as Walter Salles got the film into pre-production, which took five years. Any time he was cast in another project, he would first check with him to make sure it was alright.
The film's budget was drastically cut, and Kristen Stewart agreed to a salary of just $200,000 at the time she was the highest paid actress in Hollywood, purely out of love for the novel.
Playing Against Type: At the height of being best known as Shrinking Violet Bella Swan in Twilight, Kristen Stewart took a darker and more sexual role, including appearing nude for the first time in her career.
Saved from Development Hell: There had been attempts at getting the film made as far back as when Marlon Brando would have been young enough to play Dean Moriarty. Francis Ford Coppola nearly made a 16mm black and white version in the 90s, but funding became an issue.
