History Trivia / Payback

* ExecutiveMeddling: Although credited as director, Brian Helgeland's cut of the film was not the theatrical version released to audiences. After the end of principal photography, Helgeland's version was deemed too dark for the mainstream public. Following a script rewrite by Terry Hayes, director Helgeland was replaced by the production designer John Myhre, who reshot 30% of the film. The intent was to make the Porter character accessible. The film's tagline became: "Get Ready to Root for the Bad Guy." A potentially controversial scene between Porter and Lynn which arguably involves spousal abuse was excised and more plot elements were added to the third act. After 10 days of reshoots, a new opening scene and voiceover track also were added, and Creator/KrisKristofferson walked on as a new villain.

* ReleaseDateChange: The film was suppsosed to come out in mid-1998. However, post-production complications and reshoots, as well as an effort to ensure it would not go head to head with ''Film/LethalWeapon4'', led to its delay to February 1999.

* ExecutiveMeddling: The original version was deemed too dark during test screenings, leading to a third of the film being reshot by the production designer. The theatrical version softens Porter's character, adds some narration, changes Bronson from a woman who is only heard over the telephone to Kris Kristofferson, and a more upbeat ending.
* ReCut: The DarkerAndEdgier Director's Cut was released on DVD several years after the theatrical cut, under the name ''Payback: Straight Up''.

* ExecutiveMeddling: The original version was deemed too dark during test screenings, leading to a third of the film being reshot by the production designer. The theatrical version softens Porter's character, adds some narration, changes Bronson from a woman who is only heard over the telephone to Kris Kristofferson, and a more upbeat ending. The [[ReCut original director's cut]] was released to DVD several years later, under the name ''Payback: Straight Up''.

* ExecutiveMeddling: The original version was deemed too dark during test screenings, leading to a third of the film being reshot by the production designer. The theatrical version softens Porter's character, adds some narration, changes the Bronson from a woman who is only heard over the telephone to Kris Kristofferson, and a more upbeat ending. The [[ReCut original director's cut]] was released to DVD several years later, under the name ''Payback: Straight Up''.

* ExecutiveMeddling: Leading to a third of the movie being reshot by a different (uncredited) director. The main focuses for changes were softening up Porter's character, changing the villain to Bronson, and a more upbeat ending.

* ExecutiveMeddling: Leading to a third of the movie being reshot by a different (uncredited) director. Main focuses for changes were softening up Porter's character, changing the villain to Bronson and a more upbeat ending.

* HeyItsThatGuy - Most of the cast.
** Val Resnick played the BTK Killer.
** Bronson was the Rubber Duck.
** Carter and Fairfax were Greg Sumner (of ''Knot's Landing'') and ''Film/OurManFlint''.
** Carter's goons were [[Series/{{Smallville}} Lionel Luthor]] and [[Series/{{CSI}} Conrad Ecklie]].
** The crooked cops were [[Film/{{Predator}} Mac]] and [[Series/{{Angel}} Sahjhan]].
** Rosie went on to found Film/CoyoteUgly. The dominatrix/hooker is none other than Creator/LucyLiu.

** Carter and Fairfax were Greg Sumner (of ''Knot's Landing'') and ''OurManFlint''.

** Rosie went on to found CoyoteUgly. The dominatrix/hooker is none other than Creator/LucyLiu.

** Carter's goons were [[{{Smallville}} Lionel Luthor]] and [[{{CSI}} Conrad Ecklie]].

** Rosie went on to found CoyoteUgly. The dominatrix/hooker is none other than LucyLiu.

** The crooked cops were [[{{Predator}} Mac]] and [[Series/{{Angel}} Sahjhan]].

** The crooked cops were [[{{Predator}} Mac]] and [[{{Angel}} Sahjhan]].

** Carter and Fairfax were [[KnotsLanding Greg Sumner]] and OurManFlint.