Brad Pitt originally auditioned for the lead role. Director David DeCoteau said in an interview that while Pitt didn't fit the role, he had a feeling Pitt would go on to bigger things. Two years later he was happy to see he was right when he saw Pitt pop up in Thelma & Louise (1991).
Plagued by several box office failures, Empire Pictures was suffering major financial issues at the time. During production of this film, director David DeCoteau received a communique from studio executives saying "the bank has just shut down the entire company and seized everything. But they don't know you're shooting this picture, so just keep rolling and get it in the can before someone finds out." DeCoteau didn't let the actors and crew know because he didn't want them to worry. He said it turned out to be the most enjoyable of any film he'd done. They all had a great time making it.
This film was conceived under the original title, "I Was a Teenage Sex Mutant".
Former pornstar Ginger Lynn received her SAG card for making this film.
Empire Pictures folded during production of this film. Company head Charles Band launched Full Moon the very next day and utilized Dr. Alien as a bargaining chip to strike a lucrative distribution deal with studio Paramount Pictures.