Alice Cooper wanted the role of the lieutenant. Christopher Lloyd was hired for the role but he dropped out shortly after filming began.
In the script, Mr. Rainbow was so named because he wore colored glasses. When writer/director David Leeds saw the glasses on Christopher Walken, he decided against them.
Writer/director David Leeds wrote the character of the scalphunter with Geoffrey Lewis in mind. He also wrote the character of the captain with Hugh Millais in mind. But Millais, a devoted falconer, turned it down in order to go to a falconers' meet in Saudi Arabia.
Writer/director David Leeds cast Christopher Walken after seeing his performance in Próxima parada Greenwich Village (1976). Leeds had to coax Margot Kidder out of retirement to star in the film.
Writer/director David Leeds came up with the idea of having Mr. Rainbow throw knives from watching Kung Fu (1972).