It was announced in June 2020 that Sony Pictures hired David Leitch to direct the adaptation of the Kōtarō Isaka novel, with Antoine Fuqua producing and Brad Pitt being cast in the film the following month. Joey King entered negotiations to join in a role described as a supporting role on "a cameo level". In September, Andrew Koji was added, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry joining in October. In November 2020, Zazie Beetz, Masi Oka, Michael Shannon, Logan Lerman, and Hiroyuki Sanada joined the cast, with Leitch revealing in December that Karen Fukuhara had also joined, and that Jonathan Sela would serve as cinematographer. That same month, Bad Bunny was also added to the cast, and Sandra Bullock joined the following year in February to replace Lady Gaga, who had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with House of Gucci.
Production for Bullet Train began in October 2020 in Los Angeles, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming started the next month, on November 16, and finished in March 2021. Pitt performed the majority of his stunts in the film.