After a very mixed fan reaction and some harsh criticism received in relation to Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994), Don Coscarelli decided that he had already gone too far in the action/comedy direction. Subsequently, he wanted to bring the saga "back to its roots" crafting a low budget sequel more focused in the horror and surrealist aspects of the story, in the vein of Phantasm (1979). At the same time, plenty of unused footage from the original film was located after having being lost for years. The conjunction of both things ultimately became the basis for Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998).
The synopsis for the canceled "Phantasm's End" script written by Roger Avary goes as it follows: "The year is 2012 and there are only three U.S. states left. Between New York and California is the wasteland known as the Plague Zone. Unfortunately, the evil Tall Man controls that area. Since many people are dead, the Tall Man is able to make thousands of dwarf slaves for his planet daily in the Mormon Mausoleum. Besides him, the other residents are "baggers," human-like creatures that are infected by the Tall Man's blood, the dwarves, and, of course, the silver spheres, all trying to break out of the barrier that contains them and into the real world. A group of hi-tech troops are sent in to destroy the red dimension where the Tall Man gets his power. Reggie follows so he can find Mike after a series of nightmares he had. Will they be able to finally destroy the Tall Man for good?"
The song that plays during the end credits, "Have you seen it?", was actually composed and performed by Reggie Bannister and his band under the name Reggie "B" & The Yizz Wailin' Ya' Doggies. It is included in their 1996 album "Fool's Paradise".
(at around 5 mins) Angus Scrimm was suffering from laryngitis during the filming of the opening scene. That's why his usually deep Tall Man voice sounds more like Orson Welles.
The sequence with Reggie Bannister pulling up to the abandoned rundown motel in the desert was shot without permits, and was really an old shack that was redressed to look like a motel.