Richard Linklater and Glen Powell's fourth collaboration, following Fast Food Nation (2006), Everybody Wants Some!! (2016), and Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022). Additionally, Austin Amelio reunites with both after starring in Everybody Wants Some!! (2016) alongside Powell.
Netflix acquired the film for $20 million for release in the United States shortly after screening at the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Inspired by a true story.
The script originally had the story taking place in Houston, since the real life Gary Johnson was based in Houston. However, due to Texas tax credits and other financial elements, they weren't able to shoot the film in Texas, and instead chose to set the film in New Orleans.
The real life Gary Johnson passed away early on in production and never got to see the film. Richard Linklater only talked to him on the phone, and never got to meet him in person.