In a nod to Sir Alfred Hitchcock, a playbill showing Woody Allen's face in deadpan is briefly seen as Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) arrives at the Tate museum to meet Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson).
Because it was filmed in Britain, writer and director Woody Allen had to have a certain percentage of British cast and crew. Apparently, he made his quota before casting Kate Winslet. After she backed out to spend more time with her family, Allen cast American Scarlett Johansson.
According to Eric Lax's book, this movie is one of Woody Allen's favorite movies. The others being (in order) The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Stardust Memories (1980), Broadway Danny Rose (1984), and Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993).