[3] Hunter stated that his reflections on teaching were the initial point of inspiration for The Whale, and that he did not add the obesity aspect until later, as a way of making the teacher have a "distance" from the audience and the other characters.

Sheepdog Theatre produced the run, with Walter Roberts as Charlie, Natsuki Robertson as Ellie, Laura Pollacco as Liz, Carlos Quiapo as Elder Thomas, and Louise Heal Kawai as Mary.

[12] In terms of plot progression, a play director named Davis McCallum stated that the goal is to "turn up the pressure until it almost can't be tolerated" and then have a "really cathartic release at the end of the piece".

[14] The Whale stars Brendan Fraser as Charlie, Hong Chau as Liz, Sadie Sink as Ellie, and Ty Simpkins as Thomas.

[15][16] The film won two Academy Awards at the 2023 ceremony, for Actor in a Leading Role (Fraser) and Makeup and Hairstyling, and was nominated for Supporting Actress (Chau).