The Truman Show is a
1998 comedy-drama film directed by
Peter Weir and written by
Andrew Niccol. The cast includes
Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, as well as
Laura Linney,
Noah Emmerich,
Ed Harris and
Natascha McElhone. The film chronicles the life of a man who discovers he is living in a
constructed reality soap opera, televised
24/7 to billions across the globe.
The genesis of
The Truman Show was a
spec script by Niccol. The original draft was more in tone of a
science fiction thriller, with the story set in New York City.
Scott Rudin purchased the script, and instantly set the project up at
Paramount Pictures.
Brian de Palma was in contention to direct before Weir took over, managing to make the film for $60 million against the estimated $80 million budget. Niccol rewrote the script simultaneously as the filmmakers were waiting for Carrey's schedule to open up for filming. The majority of filming took place at
Seaside, Florida, a
master-planned community located in the
Florida Panhandle.