While re-writing the Jack Collins character, Josh Becker wanted the 'average guy' to have a profession where he knew how to fight. After William Lustig shot down the idea of Collins being a Vietnam vet, an idea he was "completely sick to death of", Becker came up with Collins being a carpenter. Becker thought Collins should at least know how to use his hands. Lustig shot that down as well. Upon meeting Jan-Michael Vincent, Becker found out he was into carpentry and served in the National Guard.
Lance Henriksen was in the middle of a divorce when he was offered the role of Caleek. He accepted the role in order to support his alimony payments.
When the completed film was screened for Warner Bros. executives, they told William Lustig that his film is "a better action picture than Steven Seagal's Above the Law (1988)."
The first draft script title was originally "Hell to Pay".
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