Split Second

In the scene in Stone's apartment where they are discussing their names, Alastair Duncan is actually laughing. Because Rutger Hauer held it together so well, it was decided to keep it in the movie.

Associate producer and screenwriter Gary Scott Thompson's original 1988 spec script was titled "Pentagram". It took place in Los Angeles, California, and involved a ritualistic serial killer who murders five people every five years during the last quarter-century, and leaves a pentagram symbol after each kill. This first version of the script was an action buddy cop horror movie with occult overtones. "Pentagram" got Thompson more jobs before it was finally picked up by the head of Challenge Films, Laura Gregory, and Production Manager Susan Nicoletti, who got director Tony Maylam involved. All three told Thompson to change the script because the story was too similar to the horror thriller The First Power (1990). Thompson re-wrote the script and re-titled it "Black Tide". This version was close to the final movie, taking place in London, England, which was half under water due to global warming. The script continued to be re-written during production, in particular the ending. Rutger Hauer told Thompson to re-write it to make it more physical, and with more focus on psychic connection between Stone and the creature.

Despite some decent word of mouth and an exciting advertising campaign, this movie underperformed at the U.S. box-office due to the fact that it opened during the weekend of the Los Angeles, California riots.

There was discussion throughout production about the look of the monster and what exactly it would have been, which left Stephen Norrington only three weeks to design the creature.

Gary Scott Thompson wrote the script with Harrison Ford in mind for the lead role, but was happy when Rutger Hauer was cast. Hauer loved the script, which is why he wanted to do the movie.