Filmed in 1988, received limited release in 1990, pulled from circulation and re-released in 1992.
The film's distribution ended up hindered by the bankruptcy of Vestron Pictures.
Claudia Christian also starred in Maniac Cop 2 with Robert Z'Dar. Both Maniac Cop 2 and Upworld were initially released in 1990.
The main villains name is Zadar, while the actor who played his henchman's real name is Robert Z'dar, which is pronounced similarly.