© DR - RED ROCK WEST de John Dahl (1993) par tellurikwaves blog (75 Paris)

Originally director John Dahl wanted Dennis Hopper to play Wayne Brown, but he insisted on playing Lyle from Dallas. Hopper eventually convinced the producers who were thrilled with the end result.

Nicolas Cage largely took the part due to the recommendation of his uncle, Francis Ford Coppola who is an outspoken fan of John Dahl's first film, Kill Me Again (1989).

Before Nicolas Cage had been cast, Dennis Hopper suggested that John Dahl should consider Kris Kristofferson, a good friend of Hopper from The Last Movie (1971), for the leading role. Kristofferson was at a low point in his career at the time, mainly appearing as the lead in made for TV-movies. He had a packed schedule and declined without reading the script.

When the movie was previewed for audiences, none of the producers showed up.

Dwight Yoakam brought his own pistol for his role as the Truck Driver. His hit single, A Thousand Miles From Nowhere, is used during the film's closing credits - the version used is a studio demo recording unlike the one from his This Time album.

Significant portions of this "Wyoming" film was shot on location in Montana, writer/director John Dahl and his brother, writer/producer Rick Dahl's home state, as well as Arizona.

John Dahl named Dennis Hopper's character "Lyle from Dallas" after the director's first guitar, a Lyle guitar.

The late William Olvis (he passed away May 6, 2014) wrote the musical score that added so much to its suspense of this movie. He's famous for his beautiful soundtrack for the TV series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and has scored 18 other movies.

Spoilers

The trivia items below may give away important plot points.

When Wayne is revealed to be the town Sheriff in the hospital emergency room, it was J.T. Walsh's idea that he reveal himself by slowly raising his head up with the brim of his cowboy hat and looking directly into the camera.

Dennis Hopper was originally considered for the role of the Sheriff, which eventually went to J.T. Walsh. However, Hopper fought John Dahl hard for the meatier role of hit man-with-low-self-esteem Lyle, which the director initially refused because of the similarities of Dennis Hopper's character to Frank Booth in Blue Velvet (1986). After much pleading, Hopper won the role.

CINEMA :Les blessures narcissiques d'une vie par procuration

© DR - RED ROCK WEST de John Dahl (1993)

Spoilers