Trivia

Tina Sinatra, who was instrumental in deciding to remake the film, inherited the production rights from her father, Frank Sinatra, who played Bennett Marco in the 1962 version.

The film unites real-life half brothers Liev Schreiber and Pablo Schreiber.

The movie opens with Marco's and Shaw's fellow soldiers playing a card game; this is a reference to The Manchurian Candidate (1962), in which cards play a very important role in the plot.

In developing his character, Liev Schreiber watched footage of Robert F. Kennedy.

In The Manchurian Candidate (1962), the brainwashing agents were Chinese Communists from the Manchurian provinces next to North Korea.

Sidney Lumet: Political pundit.

Walter Mosley: Congressman Rawlins.

Roger Corman: As Mr. Secretary.

Roy Blount Jr.: Political pundit.

Edwidge Danticat: Rosie's cousin.

Jonathan Demme: [Roger Corman] Demme's mentor Roger Corman has a role in the film.