To play Rasputia, Eddie Murphy undergoes 2 to 3 hours of makeup and had to wear a "fat" suit that weighed 34 kilograms. The process was similar with playing Mr. Wong which took 2 to 2 1/2 hours with gloves and dentures.
Thandie Newton followed a strict diet during filming The script described Kate as much thinner than a common girl. It also made Rasputia look heavier.
In the USA, this movie was originally rated R but was reduced to PG-13 on appeal.
In the original script Buster (Rasputia's dance teacher) was a heterosexual who faked his homosexuality to have relations with his students. This was changed to make him a bisexual character.