With the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi actioner Total Recall celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, director Paul Verhoeven has been reminiscing about the 1990 cult classic in an interview with The Ringer.
During the discussion, Verhoeven revealed that he originally intended to make Benny wish he had four hands during the bar scene on Mars featuring Lycia Naff’s triple-breasted mutant sex worker Mary.
“I know that some women had, let’s say, not two nipples, but they have four nipples,” said Verhoeven. “Like a dog, whatever. That’s what they have. They exist, basically, and I’ve seen the medical photos when I was at university. And I knew that. I wanted four nipples and breasts, with big breasts and smaller breasts underneath. And Rob Bottin, I think, felt that it was too realistic for the film. And basically that three breasts would be more, let’s say, in the style of the whole movie.”
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Verhoeven went on to concede that VFX legend Bottin “was right”, with the scene delivering perhaps the most memorable moment in a movie featuring many.
Originally published June 16, 2020. Updated July 19, 2024.
