Joseph R. Gannascoli dropped out of the film because he refused to work with Lillo Brancato. Brancato spent eight years in prison for an attempted burglary. His accomplice shot and killed a police officer who tried to apprehend them. Gannascoli released a statement saying that he had great respect for police officers and could not work with someone who was involved with an officer's death. Brancato stated that he understood Gannascoli's decision.