Lynch adapted the screenplay draft by Christopher De Vore and Eric Bergren.

Although Mel Brooks agreed to produce the film through his production company Brooksfilms, it was turned down by a number of studios before it was finally greenlit by Paramount Pictures.

[1] Seen perhaps as the most conventional of Lynch's otherwise surrealist films,[2] The Elephant Man was a commercial success, grossing over $26 million in the United States alone.

[3] The film was also a critical success, garnering universal acclaim[4] and receiving multiple award nominations.

In addition, the film's editing, costume design, art direction and screenplay received nominations at the Academy Award and BAFTA ceremonies.