This film became the subject of much controversy during March/April 2018 when it was revealed that many of the cast members and producers for Channel Awesome were treated poorly by management and were unpaid for their work in this production, and the previous two Channel Awesome anniversary specials. This film was highlighted as a major factor during the #changethechannel Twitter and YouTube movement, where many of the producers/actors aired their grievances with Channel Awesome's management, six years after the film's release. These grievances were also leveled at Doug Walker. Many actors swore off working with Walker ever again after this production. As of April 2018, Brad Jones and Larry Bundy Jr. are the only producers aside from the Walkers still working with Channel Awesome. Ironically, Bundy said that "no one ever actually believed I was ever on TGWTG. I never was included in fan art, I was never asked to be in a crossover, I was never asked to be in any anniversary movies."
According to Lewis Lovhaug and Lindsay Ellis, the most difficult and uncomfortable scene they had to film was when Mechakara "assimilates" the Nostalgia Chick, since it was, as Ellis wrote, "just an extended rape joke."
Ed Glaser didn't want to be credited in the film. He reportedly got into a heated argument over a scene that was violating the 180 rule in cinematography. He vowed to never work with the Walkers again.
Doug Walker, Lindsay Ellis, Lewis Lovhaug, Noah Antwiler, Bennett White, Joe Vargas, Mickey Paradis, Kaylyn Saucedo, Paul Schuler, Thomas Hanley, Benjamin Daniel, Rob Walker, and James Rolfe are the only actors who appeared in all four Channel Awesome anniversary specials.