As far as movies went in 1990, this was one of the most expensive. A six-month production requiring 500 workers, 45 sets, and eight sound stages.
Even the budget (estimated to be around $65 million) and physical stature of the film’s leading man, the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger, both of whom had a significant role, were on a grand scale for Total Recall’s 30th anniversary.
After 30 years, Total Recall is getting its first-ever 4K release as part of a new 3-Disco combo set out this week. Director Paul Verhoeven oversaw the scan of the film’s 4K negative from the original 35mm print, which will be available to fans for the first time.
Based on Philip K. Dick’s short tale “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale,” Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Douglas Quaid (or IS he?) travels to Mars in Total Recall, which features many memorable scenes. The encounter between Quaid and Kuato, the head of a rebel army, is one of the film’s most memorable sequences. George’s stomach has sprouted a small, mishappen creature, which appears to Quaid (and the audience) as a psychic conjoined to his brother, Kuato. Kuato is one of Mars’ mutants. The time that Kuato spends on screen in Total Recall is minimal, yet his presence is felt, and he even inspired a sketch on Saturday Night Live years after the film’s release.
George was played by character actor Marshall Bell, who had previously appeared in films like A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, Stand By Me, and Twins, the latter of which would mark the start of his collaboration with Arnold Schwarzenegger on a sequel.
For Fandom, Bell talked about working with Schwarzenegger and Verhoeven on Total Recall, and how that experience prepared him for their subsequent collaboration on Starship Troopers seven years later.
WEIRD AND WILD:
With hindsight, Total Recall is a fascinating film that combines parts of an amnesia narrative with a spy thriller, on top of the Martian setting, the mutant population of the planet, and many other interesting features.
So, coming into the movie, did Bell have any idea how zany it would be? “No way,” the actor firmly asserted. There you have it—the complete and utter reality. I wish I could tell you that everything was a figment of my imagination. What a surprise, to be honest! To be in the film, I had to actually experience it firsthand.”
To prepare for his roles as George and Kuato, Rob Bottin, a renowned special effects make-up artist, created extensive lifecasts of Bell’s head and body (The Thing, RoboCop, Se7en). “I had to go to Bottin’s torture room and have them immerse me in all kinds of different products all day,” he said. And it was enjoyable since working with someone of his caliber is a rare gift; I consider him a modern-day Leonardo da Vinci in the field of prosthetics.
Bell filmed the majority of his scenes as George first, before the Kuato reveal, but admitted that he was “extremely terrified and didn’t get any sleep” during the filming of the Kuato scenes. Also, it was 3:30 in the morning when they arrived to pick me up, and I was in the up there for nine hours with the prosthetics”
To escape the customary mandate on a film production, Bell stated that they may film in Mexico back then for a defined period of time after a single shooting day concludes, before a new one can begin. “SAG wouldn’t let us do it now,” he observed. However, at the time, we were free to do whatever we wanted.
“My baby incident” was when he lost his cool on set after a long day of shooting the Kuato material. He said it was because he had only gotten an hour’s worth of sleep during the week, and he was “gone.” I was gaga by the time I reached the rank of Kuato.” It weighed 85 pounds, and I had to make a hole to pee,” said Bell of the Kuto prosthetics equipment. I’d say it was a lengthy, intriguing, and unforgettable one.”
Looking at Kuato’s real form, “I couldn’t believe it was a puppet with wires attached to it and everything. As a result, you were in the presence of puppeteers. The whole experience was absolutely intriguing.”
There are a lot of bell characters that are unfriendly or even hateful, but George stands out because of how he interacts with other people. When asked about George’s brother living in his stomach, Bell said, “He’s very, very normal, except for that. This guy undoubtedly feels the same way: I don’t have the energy to be an asshole in this situation, you know? So far, so good. Until Kuato shows up. In addition, George is his home.
PAUL-ING AROUND:
To be clear, Bell not only acted as George, he also voiced Kuato, but he admitted that at first “That wasn’t a done deal.”
“And I didn’t understand that I was auditioning [to voice Kuato], because Paul just gets you to come in and work — doesn’t tell you what he’s up to sometimes and which I love, by the way,” Bell said after the film had finished filming with Verhoeven and some more dialogue had been recorded. However, because he always manages to surprise people, I believe I was trying out for the role when I did that. Later on [in the finished film], they repurposed my character.”
Verhoeven first met Bell when Bell was attempting to get a role in RoboCop and the director, according to Bell, immediately struck up a conversation.
When I saw him, I was immediately drawn to him because of his outstanding appearance. It’s intimate working with him, and then having to deal with my whining on sometimes and being punished in front of everyone for it, as well as having to deal with everything else…”
“There’s not an unkind bone in his body,” Bell remarked of Verhoeven, even in the director’s most emotional moments. His kindness is obvious, yet he’s also a high achiever.
PUMPING IRON WITH THE TERMINATOR:
Schwarzenegger, who played himself in the film, has a “large heart” and is a “problem solver,” according to Bell.
Arnold Schwarzenegger had “big semis full of gym equipment and his own gym set up,” recalls actor Jamie Bell in the making of Total Recall. They let everyone in the cast use their large gym during lunch or whenever they wanted.
There’s nothing better than getting trained by Arnold Schwarzenegger while you’re eating lunch. “I’m sitting there and I’m getting trained by Arnold during the lunch break!” he exclaimed. There is Sachertorte [cake] in the trailer which he had flown in from Vienna.”
Schwarzenegger was regarded as “A polished absolute pro” by Bell. He’s also a great actress.
A TRUE TROOPER:
A few years later, in Starship Troopers, Bell and Verhoeven collaborated once more on the role of the frightened and cowardly General Owen. Owen’s behavior is so off-putting to the film’s main characters that one of them (Jake Busey’s Ace) can’t help but grin when the alien Hopper Bug kills him.
“I drove down last minute,” Bell recalled working on that picture. They escorted me to the set when they announced my name. I had to drive through the snow to get to Casper, where they shot it. And my top speed was 95 mph, but I still made it on time, which made me quite delighted. You do realize that if I don’t go outside, I’ll get squished by a grasshopper? So Paul is in front of the camera, and I’m about to go insane before I die.”
According to what Bell had to say Verhoeven recalled the director remarking, “I like this. “, which made him appear delighted with his improved performance. You’re shaking with fear. You’re in such agony right now. I hate you because you’re such a coward. The grasshopper is completely hidden from your view!’
“I’m not afraid of the grasshopper, Paul,” he exclaimed to Verhoeven, turning to face him. The thought of you scares me to death!
“There were 100 people in the amphitheater standing around and they all clap,” remarked Bell. “That’s cool,” Paul responded. That’s great!'”
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