In 1986, a short promotional film was shot by Joe Spinell and director Buddy Giovinazzo titled Maniac 2: Mr. Robbie, about a psychopathic children's television show host who murders abusive parents. The short was done to raise financing for a sequel to Maniac. The feature-length version of the film was never shot after Spinell died in 1989. The short film was included with the 30th anniversary edition release of Maniac.