Based on actual atrocities at Corcoran State Prison.
Val Kilmer, a method actor who heavily researched the role, elected not to portray his character in a Utopian or chiseled capacity. Instead, Kilmer wanted to convey a nihilistic approach in which the years of confinement visibly take a toll physically and emotionally on the character.
The frenetic fights filmed during production were partly choreographed, by stunt coordinator and mixed martial arts fighter Mike Smith. Certain beats throughout the fights were decided and rehearsed, but the move from one beat to another were left for the actors/stunt men to scramble through, making the fights not only seem very hectic and real, but also making them an accurate representation of the mixed martial arts and street fighting common in this subpopulation.
Stephen Dorff sustained two concussions during the production secondary to performing his own fight sequences.
Val Kilmer spent several hours a day in the makeup chair for placement of numerous fake tattoos on his chest, arms and back.