- Cast the Runner-Up: Tommy Lee Jones was originally cast as Hub with Robert Duvall playing Garth, putting them together again with a built-in Casting Gag, as both actors would have essentially played the inverse of their Red Oni, Blue Oni roles in Lonesome Dove. Then he dropped out, and Duvall became Hub. Michael Caine was eventually cast in the Garth role, but Tropes Are Not Bad because Michael Caine is awesome.
- Dueling Movies: With Big Fish.
- Enforced Method Acting: As told by the man himself, Travis Willingham took three real punches to the nose, because Duvall thought he was a stunt double. When he informed him he wasn't, Duvall gave him some cash as an apology.
- Fake American: The British Michael Caine as the American Garth McCann.
- Focus Group Ending: The film originally ended with an elaborate funeral sequence where pretty much every character Hub and Garth encountered in the past came back to pay their respects. This was dropped in favor of the simpler ending shown in the final cut. Word of God says, however, that the original ending is still canonical.
- Inspiration for the Work: For a work in a different medium. Berke Breathed provided the cartoon artwork done by the adult Walter in this film. This caused Breathed to rediscover his own love of cartooning and inspired him to create Opus.
- Never Work with Children or Animals: Haley Joel Osment was attacked by the pig during filming. The lion had numerous trainers and handlers, but no one thought the pig might be a menace.
- No Stunt Double: The thug fight was supposed to be performed by Robert Duvall's stunt double, but he decided to do it himself on the day of shooting.
- What Could Have Been: The original plan was to reteam Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the uncles. However, Redford's agent told the producers he "does not play old."
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