David Lightman was modeled on David Scott Lewis, a hacking enthusiast Parkes and Lasker met. Falken was inspired by and named after Stephen Hawking; John Lennon was interested in playing the role, but was murdered in New York while the script was in development. General Beringer was based on General James V. Hartinger (USAF), the then-commander-in-chief of NORAD, whom Parkes and Lasker met while visiting the base, and who, like Beringer, favored keeping humans in the decision loop.
David Lightman was modeled on David Scott Lewis a hacking enthusiast Parkes and Lasker met Falken was inspired by and named after Stephen Hawking; John Lennon was interested in playing the role but was murdered in New York while the script was in development General Beringer was based on General James V Hartinger (USAF) the then-commander-in-chief of NORAD whom Parkes and Lasker met while visiting the base and who like Beringer favored keeping humans in the decision loop