Not only was this Jet Li's first American-produced movie, it was also the first time he'd ever played a villain.
The car chase and fight between Riggs and the Chinese man in the house trailer was filmed on I-215 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Apparently, they couldn't get filming permission anywhere else, but the Las Vegas mayor was very accommodating. All drivers were either stunt drivers, or members of Bill Young's Driving Team.
Murtaugh's boat is named "Code 7", which is the L.A.P.D. radio code for a lunch break.
Richard Donner asked Jet Li to slow down during action sequences, because he was moving faster than the camera shutter speed, and it wasn't registering on film.
Jackie Chan was considered for the role of Wah Sing Ku, but turned it down, because he chooses never to play the villain in a movie.