John Travolta was given the choice of playing either Deakins or Hale in the film. He chose the villain Deakins. Director John Woo originally wanted Hale to die during the film. Oliver Wood was considered to be the film's director of photography, but he was unable to take the job, due to the broken ankle he sustained while shooting Cutthroat Island (1995). He was replaced by Peter Levy (who had also replaced him on Cutthroat Island). Director John Woo later picked Wood to shoot his next fi ...[Read Story ]