According to Stephen King, the story of this film was part autobiographical, as it was inspired by the events that led to him revealing his own writing pseudonym of "Richard Bachman".
In the prologue of this Stephen King adaptation, Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) wants to become a writer, and is shown writing stories. The title of his first typewritten story is "Here There Be Tygers", which is also the real title of the first short story King wrote in his career. The story can be found in King's "Skeleton Crew" anthology.
According to writer and director George A. Romero, Timothy Hutton was quite difficult to work with at times. Hutton even quit the film for a few days during the production.
"The Dark Half" was the last novel that Stephen King wrote before becoming completely sober. His addiction, and his desire to go sober, are reflected in the book's themes of dual personalities.
The characters of Sheriff Alan Pangborn and Deputy Norris Ridgewick appeared later the same year in Needful Things (1993), played by Ed Harris and Ray McKinnon, respectively. Harris is also Amy Madigan's husband in real-life. Sheriff Alan Pangborn was played by Michael Rooker.