Sir Ian McKellen and Robert Downey, Jr. became friends during the shoot, and McKellen was struck by Downey's talent and attitude compared to some of the British cast members. McKellen offered Downey a part in Richard III (1995), stating that casting an American actor would help fund that movie. When the release of this movie was delayed by eighteen months, owing to story concerns and re-shoots, Richard III (1995) was released in theaters before this movie.
Its two Oscar nominations and wins (Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design) were up against, among other nominees, Richard III (1995) - which also featured Sir Ian McKellen and Robert Downey, Jr. in its cast.
Composer James Newton Howard's main theme is based on a music from The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell.