Sacchetti recalled that after completing the script, it was shelved for some time due to their commitments to other projects. Fulci did not want to work with "Zombi 2" producer Fabrizio De Angelis again, and convinced Renato Jaboni of Medusa Distribuzione and Luciano Martino and Mino Loy of Dania and National Cinematografica to contribute. The project was greenlit during the production of "Contraband", which Fulci left with his assistant director, Roberto Giandalia, to finish principal photography. Early choices for the cast included "Zombi 2" star Tisa Farrow as Mary Woodhouse, Fiamma Maglione as Sandra, Aldo Barberito as Father Thomas and Robert Kerman as Mr. Ross; they were replaced by Catriona MacColl, Janet Agren, Fabrizio Jovine and Venantino Venantini respectively. Argen and Christopher George were specifically hired to increase the film's commercial prospects.