It draws superficially from Abel Ferrara's 1992 film, Bad Lieutenant, which featured a crooked cop (Harvey Keitel), who is a drug addict and takes sexual favors as bribes. The film's director insists that it is not a sequel or a remake.
Terrence McDonagh (Nicolas Cage), is a New Orleans Police sergeant. While rescuing a prisoner during Hurricane Katrina, he injures his back. After receiving a medal and a promotion to lieutenant for his heroism, he becomes addicted to prescription pain medication and begins using cocaine, heroin, crack, and marijuana. The film follows McDonagh as he investigates the murder of a family of Senagalese immigrants while dealing with his drug addictions and gambling and other personal problems. Although he frequently breaks the law he is eventually promoted again.
The film was first announced in May 2008 with Werner Herzog to direct and Nicolas Cage to star. The script was penned by TV writer William Finkelstein.[9] One major change from the original film was moving the setting from New York City to New Orleans.[10] Herzog insists that the film is not a remake, saying, "It only has a corrupt policeman as the central character and that's about it."[6] At the 2009 Academy Awards, Herzog stated that he has never seen Ferrara's film, saying "I haven't seen it, so I can't compare it. It has nothing to do with it."[11] Herzog did not like the idea of a remake and desired to change the title of the film, but was unsuccessful. Herzog stated, "I battled against the title from the first moment on", but added, "I can live with it, I have no problem with it at all. The title is probably a mistake, but so be it."[12]
Actress Eva Mendes, who starred with Cage in the 2007 comic book-based film Ghost Rider, joined the cast the following June.[8] Filming began on July 7, 2008 in Louisiana[13] and also around South Mississippi, shooting some scenes at the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis.
