Wagons East! - Production

Production

On March 4, 1994, Candy died of a heart attack in his sleep on location in the Mexican state of Durango after the day's shooting for this film had finished. The film makers claim he had completed all his scenes for the film at the time of his death but this claim is disputed by critics and audiences.

Some sources state that Candy died before he had completed his remaining scenes and he was either replaced by a stunt double or his remaining scenes were re-written not to involve him. At least one scene, of Candy in a bar emptying a liquor bottle, was re-used later on in the film with the background altered. Both the VHS and DVD packaging read: "This motion picture is dedicated to the memory of John Candy".

It was also the last film from Carolco Pictures to be distributed by TriStar Pictures. Carolco would switch their primary US distribution base to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (now owned by a partnership led by TriStar parent Sony), which would distribute three of Carolco's last four films. Additionally, this is one of the only Carolco films whose ancillary rights are not held by successor company StudioCanal. These rights are owned by Lions Gate Entertainment (successor to Artisan Entertainment, formerly Live Entertainment), the US video distributor for most Carolco films.