Andrew Niccol completed his script, titled The Malcolm Show, in May 1991. The original concept was closer to a sci-fi thriller, with the story set in New York.
"I think, at some point, everyone questions the authenticity of their life. It’s like when children ask if they were adopted," Niccol remarked.
In the fall of 1993, producer Scott Rudin purchased the screenplay for just over $1 million, with Paramount Pictures agreeing to distribute the film. As part of the deal, Niccol was to direct; however, Paramount executives deemed the estimated $80 million budget too high and preferred an A-list director. Niccol was paid to step aside.
Brian De Palma was initially in talks to direct, but after he left the project, names such as Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, Terry Gilliam, David Cronenberg, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Steven Spielberg were considered. Eventually, in early 1995, Peter Weir signed on. Bryan Singer also expressed interest, but Paramount chose the more experienced Weir.
Niccol wrote sixteen drafts of the script before Weir deemed it ready for production.
Feeling that Niccol’s script was too dark in tone, Weir aimed to make the film more humorous. "Where the source material felt grim, I chose to lighten the tone," Weir explained.
To deepen the story, Weir created a fictional book about the history of the in-film show and imagined backstories for the characters. After scouting East Florida, Weir was dissatisfied with the landscapes until his wife, Wendy Stites, introduced him to Seaside, Florida. This neo-traditional architectural town, designed by Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, became the primary filming location.
Scenes set in Truman's house were filmed at the Gaetz family residence, including that of Florida Senator Don Gaetz and Congressman Matt Gaetz. Shots of the Seahaven power plant were taken at the Lansing Smith power station entrance in Lynn Haven. Additional filming occurred at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California.
The production design drew inspiration from Norman Rockwell paintings and 1960s postcards.
Actors such as Robin Williams and Gary Oldman were considered for the role of Truman, but Weir ultimately chose Jim Carrey after seeing him in Ace Ventura. Carrey accepted the role to diversify his career beyond comedic characters.
Carrey, who typically earned $20 million per film at the time, agreed to star in The Truman Show for $12 million, making it the fastest role he ever accepted. He signed on as early as 1995, but due to prior commitments to The Cable Guy and Liar Liar, filming had to wait another year. Weir felt Carrey was worth the delay.
Initially, Dennis Hopper was cast as Christof but left the project in April 1997, shortly after filming began. Hopper later claimed he was fired, as Weir and producer Scott Rudin reportedly agreed to recast him if they were unhappy with his performance. After several actors declined the part, Ed Harris accepted. Harris suggested Christof should have a humpback, but Weir vetoed the idea.
The film’s release, originally planned for August 8, 1997, was delayed twice: first to November 14, 1997, and then to summer 1998.
The Truman Show grossed $264.1 million worldwide against its $60 million budget. It debuted at number one at the U.S. box office and remained in the top 10 for seven weeks.
An essay in the International Journal of Psychoanalysis described Truman’s character at the beginning of the film as resembling a typical teenager. He feels trapped in a world he tries to adapt to but cannot fully identify with, believing escape to a distant island is his only option. Ultimately, Truman achieves self-awareness, leaves his home, and embraces adulthood, developing a more mature and authentic identity.
In 2008, Popular Mechanics, a leading science and technology magazine, ranked The Truman Show among the top 10 most prophetic sci-fi films.
