The screenplay was written back in the early 1990s, it was one of the last scripts written by Joseph B. Vasquez before his death in 1995, producer Michael Lieber, who was friends with Vasquez, had held on to the script, he made a promise to Vasquez on his death bed that he would get the film made.
The film was shot in 18 days.
Back when the script was written, it was rumored that Spike Lee was attached to direct the film, with John Leguizamo starring in the lead role.