Filmed in 1988, received limited release in 1990, pulled from circulation and re-released in 1992.
The main villains name is Zadar, while the actor who played his henchman's real name is Robert Z'dar, which is pronounced similarly.
The film's distribution ended up hindered by the bankruptcy of Vestron Pictures.
Claudia Christian also starred in Maniac Cop 2 with Robert Z'Dar. Both Maniac Cop 2 and Upworld were initially released in 1990.
Was featured on the comedy podcast How Did This Get Made