Eddie Murphy's character was added to the film after the original version tested poorly with audiences.
When Eddie Murphy hosted Saturday Night Live (1975), he mocked the film and his decision to appear in it by saying "What?! How dare you give me a script like this! Oh, THAT much money? Let's go!" Murphy has also said, "How did I get involved? The door opened, and four men came in carrying a check."
Though Eddie Murphy is listed as Strategic Guest Star, he claimed in an interview with David Letterman that he was paid more for his work in this film than for 48 Hrs. (1982) and Trading Places (1983) combined.
In the film, Iraq invades Kuwait. Six years later, it actually happened.
Dudley Moore and Eddie Murphy never appear in the same scene. A scene with the two of them together was shot, then deleted from the final cut.