Sales of Margaret Keane paintings soared ahead of the release of the film. Small paintings sold for $8,500 a piece. Director Tim Burton owns an extensive collection of her work. In the 1990s, Burton commissioned Keane to paint a portrait of his then-girlfriend Lisa Marie. Keane has also painted portraits of Burton's (now former) partner Helena Bonham Carter, and Burton's late Chihuahua.
Amy Adams liked the script when it was offered to her, but she originally turned down the role of Margaret because the character lacked "a stronger sense of self." Working on American Hustle (2013) gave Adams a new perspective of the character, and the character's "quiet dignity" won her over. The relationship between the mother and the daughter spoke to her as well.
For research, Amy Adams consulted with Margaret Keane, who was in her late 80s. According to Adams, Keane was overwhelmed by the notion that anybody would want to make a film about her life.
This is the first live-action Tim Burton film to feature neither Johnny Depp nor Helena Bonham Carter since Mars Attacks! (1996).
The lead characters of Craig McCracken's cartoon series The Powerpuff Girls (1998) are modeled on Margaret Keane's "waifs," and one supporting character is named "Ms. Keane."
Margaret Keane: Reading a book on a park bench behind Margaret and Walter, when they paint in front of the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts. The end-credit photo of her sitting with Amy Adams was taken when this scene was filmed.
Tim Burton: [distorted female face] Margaret imagines that everyone in the supermarket has eyes like her painting.
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