The script and production elements went through several iterations before reaching the screen:

: Despite Hill's veteran status, the film was criticized for pacing issues and "diluted momentum," though some critics appreciated Hill's classic action sensibilities. Film Review: Bullet to the Head (2013) - Adam Mohrbacher

: The film stars Sylvester Stallone as a hitman and Sung Kang as a detective who reluctantly join forces against a common enemy.

: Hill also incorporated elements from an unproduced Western he had previously written titled Lloyd Williams and his Brother into the project's development. Film Identity & Production

is an American action thriller directed by Walter Hill , marking his return to directing after an 11-year hiatus. The screenplay, written by Alessandro Camon, is based on the French graphic novel Du plomb dans la tête by Matz. Drafting and Development