Curteis ran into several problems while directing the film. Owing to his absence of feature film experience, the film's tight schedule, and limited funding, he became quickly overwhelmed, and "The Projected Man" started going over its budget and falling behind on schedule. Executive producers Tony Tenser and Michael Klinger threatened to take over production as they did not want to increase the budget. Since Croydon had hired Curteis, it became his responsibility to fire him and finish directing the film. Richard Gordon suggested that "I think Curteis was relieved to step out because he simply didn't know any longer what to do." Croydon was not credited for his directing work on the film; as Gordon said, "one tries not to publicize such incidents."