Part 4/9:
Casting the Crew
Casting posed a unique challenge for this indie film. With a budget of only six million dollars and a scarcity of recognizable names, the filmmakers had to dig deep. They sought performers who could deliver authentic character portrayals while meeting the bar set by Hollywood’s casting expectations. Kevin Spacey, who had only been a minor player in Hollywood at the time, was ultimately cast as the pivotal character Verbal Kint, a role that would later earn him an Academy Award.