The Mirror Crack'd marked a return to the silver screen of Kim Novak, who, by this time, was only making rare appearances in movies. It also marked the final lead starring role in a movie for Elizabeth Taylor. According to publicity for this movie, this was Taylor's first big role in a feature film in four years. Natalie Wood was the first choice for Marina Rudd, but turned the role down after disagreements over cast billing and the portrayal of the character.  Production of this movie was delayed by about a year due to Angela Lansbury appearing in the Broadway production of Sweeney Todd, which was a big box-office success, and the producers wanted Lansbury (who was playing Mrs. Lovett) for this movie. The Mirror Crack'd was the first of two Agatha Christie film adaptations directed by Guy Hamilton. His second was Evil Under the Sun (1982). The movies were back-to-back consecutive movies for Hamilton, who, prior to this movie, had not been "totally enamored" by the Agatha Christie books.