The 1980 incident ended when authorities detonated the device and destroyed Harvey's Resort Hotel. The accused bomber was John Birges, a Hungarian scientist who came to the U.S. and became a major landscape contractor in California. Birges was caught after being turned in by his son, John Birges Jr. The senior Birges had lost a reported $3 million at the casino and was attempting to get the money back.

Birges Jr., who is participating in the film, allegedly helped his father get hundreds of sticks of dynamite to build the bomb, but ultimately called the FBI after discovering his father had enlisted his younger brother in a plan to bomb Bank of America, which was foreclosing on the family ranch. Birges Jr. served 18 months for initially lying about the crime."

Nick Cassavetes' previous films include " John Q ," "The Notebook," and the upcoming "Alpha Dog ."