Even before its release, Marlon Brando was asking that his name be removed from the credits. According to Variety Magazine, Brando was upset that the film failed to portray Columbus' complicity in the genocide of Native Americans.
Director John Glen cast Michael Gothard with the intention of him replacing Marlon Brando in the role of Tomas de Torquemada should Brando not arrive on-set. When Brando did not appear on the first day of shooting, Gothard shot a scene as Tomas, but Tom Selleck told Glen that he would leave the film if Brando did not show. Word got to Marlon Brando of this and he showed for the following day of filming, with the earlier scene being re-shot with him in the role.
It was alleged that the cast and crew of this film did not receive any salaries because of funding problems.
The heavy robes and cloaks Marlon Brando wore in this movie were to hide the radio equipment used to feed him his lines and directions throughout the film.
On an episode of The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder (1995), Tom Selleck admitted that the only reason he did this movie was for the opportunity to work with Marlon Brando. Director John Glen has also stated this several times.