The film is adapted from the science fiction novel of the same name by British novelist Herbert George Wells, whose work was born in 1895. "The Great Shift in Time and Space" is the first to put this work on the big screen. The producer of the film, Arnold Leibovette, was fascinated by the future world in the movie "The Great Shift in Time" when he was 9 years old, and regarded George Parr as his idol. He directed the documentary "George Parr's Fantasy Movie World" in 1985.
Simon Wells, the director, is the great-grandson of Herbert George Wells. The producer chose Simon not only because he is related to the original author, but also because he and the other two directors co-directed the cartoon "Prince of Egypt" which impressed several producers. Arnold Leibovette and David Wards saw his extraordinary talent in the field of animation, and felt that he could become an excellent live-action film director. The script adaptation of "Time Machine" was completed by John Logan, the screenwriter of "Gladiator" and "Challenge Sunday". Producer Walter asked him if he would adapt "Time Machine", and he agreed without hesitation.
