
James Kearns’ TV screenplay, initially planned at Columbia with Dustin Hoffman in mind, had been shelved for years. However, it didn’t get produced, and eventually, Kearns reacquired the script. The project, later titled John Q., was revived when New Line executive Michael De Luca took an interest and the production was resuscitated once Denzel Washington signed on in 2000. Robert Duvall, James Woods, and Anne Heche soon followed as co-stars. Matthew Barry, the casting director, recounts that Kimberly Elise outperformed strong competition to secure the role of Denise, John Q.’s wife. Barry remembers Viola Davis auditioning for the same part, with his comment being, “She’s not quite ready yet.” Apparently, he underestimated her talent as she later gained significant acclaim. As a consultant and heart surgeon in the film, James Woods received advice from Mehmet Oz, who would later become well-known as Dr. Oz. Interestingly, some of Oz’s hands can be seen performing the heart surgery in the movie.