Disney CEO Robert A. Iger green-lit a television series based on S.H.I.E.L.D. at ABC after watching Item 47. Titus Welliver, who played Blake in the One-Shot reprised his role as a guest star on the TV Series, titled Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013).
The names of the robbers, Benny and Claire, are a nod to the famous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde.
The plot of this short is similar to Laserblast (1978), which in both, people from Earth find an alien gun and use it for their own personal gain.
Farmers & Merchants bank is a real bank with 25 locations in California, headquartered in Lodi, Ca.