warner executives wanted the sexual content toned down, and to cast big names for the voices. bakshi refused, and warner pulled their funding from the film, leading krantz to seek funds elsewhere. this led to a deal with jerry gross, the owner of cinemation industries, a distributor specializing in exploitation films. although bakshi did not have enough time to pitch the film, gross agreed to fund its production and distribute it, believing that it would fit in with his grindhouse slate. further financing came from saul zaentz, who agreed to distribute the soundtrack album on his fantasy records label.