It was remade in 2001, as Mean Machine starring Vinnie Jones, but playing soccer, 2005 (starring Adam Sandler), and again in 2005 as Captain Masr in Egypt playing soccer.

The Longest Yard featured many real-life football players, including Green Bay Packers legend Ray Nitschke. The film was shot on location at Georgia State Prison in Reidsville, Georgia. It had the cooperation of then-Governor Jimmy Carter. Filming had to be delayed from time to time due to prison uprisings. Reynolds himself had played college football for Florida State University before injuries curtailed his career.