Who was the original star? : Total Recall (1990)

Long before it was an Arnold Schwarzenegger-Paul Verhoeven collaboration, another iconic duo from the ‘80s were set to bring Philip K. Dick short story “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” to the big screen.

The science-fictioner had a long, arduous journey to the big screen- but it was a journey with a bright shining light at the end of the tunnel, with the finished product one of contemporary cinema’s hallmark moments in sci-fi.

The “Wholesale” movie – or “Total Recall” as it would be known – showed Its first signs of life came when Dino De Laurentiis, hot off the “Conan the Barbarian” films, who then owned the rights, attached the inimitable David Cronenberg to the Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett written project. Though the “Dead Zone” helmer would ultimately vacate the project – and consequently, so would his lead, Richard Dreyfuss – Cronenberg’s work on the script added many layers to the original short story, including much that would end up in the Schwarzenegger version years later (like the unforgettable Kuato, who helps lead the rebellion on Mars).

Several years later, director Bruce Beresford – prior to his success with “Driving Miss Daisy” in 1989- would take a liking to the project.  Once the filmmaker attached Patrick Swayze, one of the big up-and-comers at the time thanks to his role in “Dirty Dancing”, the project got a greenlight. DeLaurentiis even agreed to shoot the film in Beresford’s native Australia.

Just as the film went into pre-production, while Swayze was training to play the physically-demanding role of Douglas Quaid and the producers were locking down locations in Queensland, Australia, the DeLaurentiis company went bankrupt and “Total Recall” was shelved.  Again.

Just like Beresford, Swayze went on to gain plenty of work elsewhere – In particular, as the star of the 1990 hit “Ghost” – so it was no loss to them when Arnold Schwarzenegger got wind of the project and had Carolco Pictures buy it for him as a starring vehicle.

With Schwarzenegger as the lead, and Paul Verhoeven as its director, “Total Recall” debuted as the no.1 film at the box office on June 1, 1990. A month later, Swayze had a hit with “Ghost” – ultimately becoming the top-grossing film of the year (even toppling “Total Recall”). Life has a funny way of working out.