A 9 Feb 1964 NYT article included Richard Jessup’s 1961 novel, Chuka, among three properties acquired by the recently formed New Art Productions, co-owned by Los Angeles, CA-area lawyer Howard Gotbetter and producer Jack Jason. Only Jason remained attached to the project, although a 20 Apr 1966 Var item two years later made no mention of his involvement when it entered development as a vehicle for actor Rod Taylor at Paramount Pictures. The following month, the 19 May 1966 DV claimed that Jason was serving as an associate producer alongside producer Hugh Bennon, but Bennon’s name does not appear in additional contemporary sources. In addition to acting, Taylor stepped in to produce through his company, Rodlor, Inc.
       Now involved in creative decisions, Taylor began searching for a director and his supporting cast. According to a 3 Jun 1966 DV brief, he hoped that Paramount would support his “offbeat” choices and expressed interest in Richard Quine to direct, and Roddy McDowall and Akim Tamiroff to co-star. The 26 Jul 1966 DV claimed that boxer Sugar Ray Robinson was also in talks to appear, while the 10 Nov 1966 edition stated that Robert Reed was forced to turn down a role due to a prior commitment. A 29 Nov 1966 DV “Film Castings” column also named Charles Akins among the ensemble.
       In mid-summer 1966, the 22 Jul 1966 DV reported that Paramount rearranged their shooting schedule to accommodate Taylor’s role in The War Wagon (1967, see entry) for Universal Pictures, but the latter studio ultimately cast Kirk Douglas instead. Meanwhile, a 12 Aug 1966 DV item indicated that Taylor had hired Richard Fielder to complete final script rewrites.
       Principal photography began 9 Nov 1966 under the direction of Gordon Douglas, according to that day’s DV. Filming took place at the Paramount studios in Hollywood, CA. A 12 Oct 1966 Var item published prior to the start of production stated that Taylor and Douglas rode the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to scout for desert locations in the Palm Springs area, but the use of any surrounding sites was not mentioned in other contemporary sources.
       On 17 May 1967, Var stated that Taylor was hastily forced to leave the U.S. once he finished editing Chuka to begin shooting Dark of the Sun (1968) in the U.K. While abroad, the actor-producer hosted a press screening for London critics, after which he immediately decided to remove a “complicated” prolog that an earlier review in the 14 Apr 1967 DV suggested was the film’s only fault.
       Box-office reports published in the 17 May 1967 Var indicated that Chuka had already been playing for one week in Denver, CO, and Toronto, Canada. The Los Angeles engagement launched 31 May 1967 as a double feature with the French-Italian crime drama, The Hired Killer, and New York Ctiy screenings began later that year, on 1 Nov 1967.