 Michael Lehmann (I) (qv) was originally set to direct.  Tim Burton (I) (qv) was approached to produce and wanted to direct  the film as well, but only if this could be his next project instead  of _Mary Reilly (1996)_ (qv), which he was set to officially sign on  to in days. A first treatment of this script was written in six days  and Burton accepted. Lehmann moved on to direct  _Airheads (1994)_ (qv).