Crew members left constantly between pre-production and principal photography. Between the drama with Whoopi Goldberg and the stress of getting the film off the ground, nearly half the crew was different come the first day of shooting.
In 1992, after a series of meetings, Whoopi Goldberg made a verbal agreement with producer Richard Gilbert Abramson to star in this film for $5 million plus backend. As pre-production was starting, Goldberg called Abramson at home and he asked her if she was 100% committed to doing the film, which she said yes. However, shortly after, Goldberg stopped answering the producers' phone calls. The film's Italian investors pressured producers Abramson and Stefano Ferrari to sue her for $20 million (neither Abramson nor Ferrari actually wanted to sue her). Goldberg countersued saying she never agreed to do the film. Noteworthy is that, going back to the phone call from earlier, Abramson answered his phone as Goldberg was leaving a message. What they later realized was that when Abramson picked up, his answering machine was still recording, so he had Goldberg's confirmation on tape and it was used against her in court. Goldberg's people claimed that this was recorded illegally, but it was proven otherwise. After some time, the judge gave the impression to Goldberg that she was going to lose the case and that she should settle, which is what happened. In September 1993, Goldberg and the producers entered mediation and agreed to a settlement. The producers had to pay her $7 million to do the film, $2 million more than the original agreement.
Most of the actors signed on thinking the dinosaur would be computer enhanced.
Jonathan R. Betuel retired from directing after this film. He felt the studio didn't market it correctly.
Whoopi Goldberg wanted to leave the film during the production at first. But as filming went on, she was much more cooperative. She became good friends with Bruce Lanoil, the Teddy puppeteer and upgraded him from a rundown dressing room to a nice trailer during the shoot.