On November 22, 2016, it was announced that Paramount Pictures had come on board to handle the rights to a drama about Dick Cheney, who moved from Halliburton chief executive to become reputedly the most powerful Vice President in American history, and the screenplay was to be written by Adam McKay, who would also direct.[7] The film would be produced by Plan B producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner with McKay and his Gary Sanchez partners, Will Ferrell and Kevin Messick.[7] On August 22, Bill Pullman was cast as Nelson Rockefeller, and a title of Backseat was announced.[8] On August 31, Sam Rockwell was cast as George W. Bush[9] while Stefania LaVie Owen was also cast in an undisclosed role.[10] In September 2017, Adam Bartley joined the cast.[11]