Filmed on location in Manila, Philippines, Enter the Ninja (1981) was the brainchild of producer Menahem Golan, who wanted to create the first American film about ninjas. Golan first entered the project in the late fall of 1980 with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer set to make the film with a budget estimated at between $2 and $4 million. Enter the Ninja was to be one of a multi-film and television deal between MGM and The Cannon Group, Inc. Franco Nero was not the original choice for the lead role of Cole, a newly-minted ninja who goes to the Philippines to help a friend defend his plantation. That part was to have gone to Karate champ Mike Stone, who was working on the screenplay. Production began on January 13, 1981 in Japan and the Philippines with Emmet Alston directing, but by February, Variety reported that producer Golan had taken directing duties from Alston and Nero was now playing Cole. Although he did not star in the final film, Mike Stone was given credit for stunt coordination, choreographing fight scenes and the film's original story, with screenplay by Dick Desmond. Also in the cast were Susan George, Sho Kosugi, Alex Courtney and Christopher George. Production ended quickly by the end of March 1981 with the intention of screening the film at the Cannes Film Festival with a general release set for Easter of 1982. However, the film did not open in Los Angeles until April 30, 1982.

By Lorraine LoBianco