Production
In October 1991, Daily Variety announced Alan J. Pakula's involvement in writing, directing, and producing a film adaptation of John Grisham's novel The Pelican Brief. Carolco Pictures, with whom Pakula had a first-look agreement, secured the film rights for $1.3 million. Initial plans outlined John Grisham drafting the first script iteration while Pakula was in pre-production for Consenting Adults (1992). However, financial troubles at Carolco led to Pakula's departure from the company, resulting in an early termination of his contract and the transfer of The Pelican Brief project to him. Subsequently, Pakula struck a two-year deal with Warner Bros. Pictures, which paid $1.75 million to option the film rights.
Julia Roberts ended a yearlong hiatus from acting by signing on to portray Darby Shaw, undergoing preparation by attending law classes at Tulane University in New Orleans, where filming commenced on May 21, 1993. Tony Goldwyn campaigned for the role of Fletcher Coal, convincing Pakula he could portray a younger version of the character than depicted in the novel. Goldwyn consulted with White House advisor George Stephanopoulos to prepare for the role.
Filming locations in New Orleans included an apartment in the French Quarter, doubling as Thomas Callahan's residence, Antoine's restaurant on St. Louis Avenue, Bourbon Street for a crowd scene featuring over 1,000 extras, and the warehouse district for Thomas Callahan's car explosion. Production shifted to Washington, D.C., on June 20, 1993, with scenes shot at various locations including the Supreme Court steps, Georgetown University Law Center, FBI's J. Edgar Hoover Building courtyard, and Washington International School portraying Parklane Hospital. The National Cathedral, Howrey & Simon law offices, and Citadel Soundstage were also used for filming.
Pakula and Warner Bros. opted to film an additional, more upbeat ending, leading to extra shooting in Montecito, California, on November 27, 1993, extending the runtime by approximately ninety seconds. A private screening at the White House, hosted by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, was held on December 10, 1993, a week before the film's theatrical release, attended by Grisham and Pakula.
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