Was originally supposed to be directed by Martin Scorsese. Rocco Klein would have been the main character, played by Robert De Niro. Scorsese changed his mind, opting instead to direct Casino (1995), and De Niro went with him. Scorsese then asked Spike Lee if he wanted to direct. Lee accepted (and decided that Strike, not Rocco, would be the primary character), and Scorsese was given an "Executive Producer" credit.
Spike Lee wanted John Turturro to play Detective Rocco Klein, and Michael Imperioli to play Detective Larry Mazilla. The studio balked at Lee's request, and Martin Scorsese suggested Harvey Keitel for the role of Rocco, with John Turturro sliding into the role of Mazilla.
The film's poster, designed by Art Sims, is an homage to the poster for Anatomy of a Murder (1959) which was designed by Saul Bass. Bass was not pleased with the poster and stated in an interview "when anyone steals something, they call it an 'homage'".