Executive producer Paula Hart began trying to secure the rights to the book nearly 20 years earlier, originally conceiving it as a starring vehicle for daughter Melissa Joan Hart, who ultimately ended up directing the film.
Benedict Taylor (John Keller) played the teenage male lead (Mike/Mark) in the 1980 film. Having had a positive experience with the original, Taylor caught wind of plans for the remake and came in to audition on his own accord.
The Watcher in the Woods (1980) was a favorite film of director Melissa Joan Hart, who watched it repeatedly during her childhood. She didn't revisit it until three days before shooting began, gauging the reaction of her 10 year-old son to discern which elements that she should emulate.
The producers didn't have the funds for proper camera equipment, so the underwater footage was shot on director Melissa Joan Hart's cellphone, which was fitted in a waterproof case.
The original director's cut ran too long for network TV, but the producers retained the master and additional deleted scenes in hopes of issuing them on DVD and Blu-ray after the movie's run on Lifetime was completed.
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