Harron cast Christian Bale the lead role, and attached Willem Dafoe and Jared Leto in supporting roles, but development stalled when Lionsgate Films acquired worldwide distribution in April 1997.
Harron cast Christian Bale in a handshake deal, and attached Willem Dafoe and Jared Leto in supporting roles. Development was looking to move forward following six years of rejection by Hollywood studios when independent Canadian distributor Lionsgate Films acquired worldwide distribution in April 1997.