: Early reviews noted that the banter between the lead characters (a hitman and a cop) felt reminiscent of an early draft of Rush Hour 3 .

: 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

: Hill initially intended the film to be more "up market" by setting it in the past and treating it like a Western. However, producer Lawrence Gordon, who was from New Orleans, suggested the modern-day New Orleans setting that was eventually used.

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