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In early 2000, there was a 163 minutes long workprint of the film available in some bootleg circles, sourced from stolen VHS copy. It was much closer to John Woo's original three and a half hours long cut of the film, and it had lot of extended and deleted scenes, including the uncut action and violence which was cut from the final film for PG-13 rating. However, ever since then, no copy of the workprint has been found.
The famous rock climbing sequence was filmed at Dead Horse Point in Utah. Tom Cruise was on cables which were then digitally removed. Ron Kauk was the climbing double and the overhang stunt was performed by main stunt double Keith Campbell. Director John Woo was so scared each time but "Tom insisted on doing it".
Director John Woo's first cut of this movie clocked in at three and a half hours. Paramount Pictures balked at this length, and told him that the final length could not exceed two hours. This would explain why there are so many plot holes and continuity errors in the theatrical cut.
Dougray Scott (Ambrose) was going to play Logan/Wolverine in X-Men (2000). When filming went over schedule and he was injured in a motorbike accident, he was forced to drop out and was replaced by Hugh Jackman.
John Woo found himself locked out of the editing room by Tom Cruise who took ownership of the final cut.
Tom Cruise and John Woo clashed over some of the stunts as Woo wanted stunt doubles, and Cruise was adamant about doing them. He told Woo he didn't like "cheating" and that it's too easy to spot when the actor is being doubled because of body movement, timing, et cetera. It didn't help that Woo is afraid of heights. Woo admired Cruise's courage.