The upcoming feature was announced by its working title, The Extra Man,       in the 3 March 1923 Camera. Actor-director Ward Wing was reportedly starting work on the project, with Frank Livingston as production manager. The December 1923 Picture-Play suggested that the title was inspired by the recent release, The Extra Girl, starring Mabel Normand (1923, see entry).
       More than five months later, a chart in the 11 August 1923 Camera reported the start of principal photography at Universal Studios in Universal City, CA. The assistant director was listed only as “Cummel.” Location shooting took place at Chatsworth Lake in Chatsworth, CA, according to the 1 September 1923 Exhibitors Trade Review. The 8 September 1923 issue described a scene portraying the “fall of Rome,” with a set modeled on the ancient city that was designed to collapse. Writer-director Edward Sedgwick carefully examined the set to ensure that no injuries occurred. The 22 September 1923 Motion Picture News revealed that several Universal stars and executives made guest appearances in the film, including actors Priscilla Dean and Reginald Denny, actor-director Hobart Henley, director Robert Hill, general manager Julius Bernheim, and business manager William Koenig. The 8 September 1923 Camera noted that each was paid five dollars per day, in addition to their salaries.
       A chart in the 1 September 1923 Camera indicated that production was completed in approximately three weeks, followed immediately by editing. On 20 October 1923, the Universal Weekly announced the picture’s official title as The Thrill Chaser.
A short subject, also titled The Extra Man, was listed in the 25 August 1923 Camera, which may explain the change.
       The Thrill Chaser was released on 26 November 1923, preceded by an 11 November 1923 opening at the Strand Theatre in Madison, WI. Other openings followed during the week of 24 November 1923 at the New Olympic Theatre in Buffalo, NY, at the Rivoli Theatre in Dallas, TX, and at the Standard Theatre in Cleveland, OH; on 26 November 1923 at the Washington Theater in Chicago Heights, IL; and on 11 January 1924 at the Stanley Theatre in New York City.
       Nearly two years later, the 27 December 1925 Film Daily announced that actor Pat O’Malley was writing a novel, also titled The Extra Man. Although the theme was similar to that of the picture, no connection to the 1923 feature was indicated. An unrelated Western, also titled The Thrill Chaser, was released in 1928.
       The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of October 2019.