Jim Caviezel has stated that this was the second most important film he has ever done.[12] He ranks it behind his role as Jesus Christ in 2004's The Passion of the Christ.[4] Tim Ballard personally requested that Jim Caviezel portray him in the film; the producers were taken aback by the request and tried to convince him to select an actor who more closely resembled him.[13][12] However, Ballard was steadfast, saying that he was affected by Caviezel's roles in The Passion of the Christ and The Count of Monte Cristo.