To prepare for the role, Aaron Eckhart disguised himself as a wheelchair-bound, mentally ill Vietnam War veteran and yelled at people on Venice Beach. In one experience, Eckhart sat by the front door of an expensive house. When the homeowner arrived, she was frightened by his presence. She went inside but came back out moments later to ask if Eckhart was doing OK. According to Eckhart, he was very moved by this experience because he saw the woman's effort to change and have sympathy.