On June 18, 1998,
Variety reported that Rodman had entered into an agreement with
Sony to star in an action film, yet to be titled.
Variety characterized the deal as a "byproduct of the 1998–99 NBA lockout|[1998] lockout by
NBA owners," as the work stoppage had temporarily put on hold Rodman's commitments to the league. Originally,
Ringo Lam was set to direct along with Elders, with Lam, Moshe Diamont, and
Dwight Manley producing. Ultimately, however, only Elders was credited as director, and only Lam and Diamont as producers. In August of that year, it was announced
Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group would finance the film now known as
Simon Sez under the direction of
Kevin Alyn Elders. ==Release==