Mickey Hays was a child who suffered from progeria, a disease that made him age rapidly. He got the part in this movie through the work of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with terminal diseases. Mickey's wish was that he could star in a real Hollywood movie, so the Make-A-Wish Foundation arranged for him to have the part of the little alien in this movie.
This was George "Spanky" McFarland's last film appearance.
The movie was filmed mostly at a fake "old west town" located south of Dallas, Texas. Scenes with George "Spanky" McFarland (of "The Little Rascals" fame) as the Texas Governor were filmed on the square in Waxahachie, with a lawyer's office standing in as the Govenor's office.
His role as the Governor was the first film role in over 40 years for George "Spanky" McFarland of Our Gang/Little Rascals fame.