 In 2001 Nikita Mikhalkov (qv) planned to direct the film himself.  He also wanted to cast Isabelle Adjani in one of the leading roles.  However, Boris Akunins (author of the novel the film is based on)  and Mikhalkovs views on the film were too different and eventually  Filipp Yankovsky (qv) was chosen to direct the film. But the rumor  has it that Mikhalkov, who played one of the leading roles in the  film, controlled what happened on the set more than Yankovsky did.