Editing Total Recall (1990 film) (section)

===Development under Carolco Pictures===
[[File:Paul Verhoeven Cannes 2016.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A 2016 photograph of Paul Verhoeven|Director [[Paul Verhoeven]] (pictured in 2016). He wanted the script rewritten to make it possible for the events of ''Total Recall'' to be a dream or reality.]]
Arnold Schwarzenegger became aware of ''Total Recall'' in the mid-1980s, either during filming of ''[[Commando (1985 film)|Commando]]'' (1985) or ''[[Raw Deal (1986 film)|Raw Deal]]'' (1986).{{sfn|Murray|1990|p=52}}{{sfn|Murray|1990b|p=31}} He liked the script and agreed to pursue it alongside producer [[Joel Silver]] while filming ''[[Predator (film)|Predator]]'' (1987), but the project remained unrealized due to its prohibitive budget and because De Laurentiis did not think Schwarzenegger was right for the lead role.{{sfn|Murray|1990b|p=30}}<ref name="WiredPKD"/> Following DEG's bankruptcy, Schwarzenegger convinced [[Andrew G. Vajna]] and [[Mario Kassar]], co-owners of the independent film studio [[Carolco Pictures]], with whom he had made ''[[Red Heat (1988 film)|Red Heat]]'' (1988), to purchase the rights for $3{{nbsp}}million, including pre-production costs.{{sfn|Hughes|2012|p=67}} Schwarzenegger wanted to star in the film, pending rewrites to his satisfaction, and his fame and international appeal justified the studio investing the necessary budget.<ref name="WiredPKD"/>{{sfn|Murray|1990|pp=52–53}}{{sfn|Murray|1990b|p=31}} Carolco completed its acquisition of the majority of DEG's business and assets in April 1989.<ref name="LATImesCarolco"/> Schwarzenegger was given substantial influence over the project: he retained Shusett as a screenwriter and co-producer alongside producer [[Buzz Feitshans]], and oversaw script revisions, casting decisions, and set construction.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{sfn|Hughes|2012|p=67}}{{sfn|Murray|1990|p=53}}<ref name="LATimesSchwarz"/><ref name="AFIBio"/>}} He described himself as effectively an executive producer without the responsibility, but he involved himself heavily because he wanted the project to work.{{sfn|Murray|1990|p=53}} He received a $10–$11{{nbsp}}million salary, plus 15% of the film's profits.<ref name="11plusTR"/><ref name="10TR12T2"/>{{efn|Arnold Schwarzenegger's estimated $10–$11{{nbsp}}million salary, minus his share of film profits, is equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|10000000|1990}}}}–${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|11000000|1990}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}}}

Schwarzenegger hired Verhoeven as the director after being impressed by his science fiction film ''[[RoboCop]]'' (1987), for which Schwarzenegger had been considered in the lead role.{{sfn|Murray|1990b|p=31}}{{sfn|Hughes|2012|p=67}} Verhoeven had previously been courted by Shusett to direct the film based on his work on ''[[Soldier of Orange]]'' (1977), but declined then because he did not like science fiction.{{sfn|Hughes|2012|p=67}} Even so, Verhoeven accepted Schwarzenegger's offer after reading the Mars hotel scene where Dr. Edgemar attempts to convince Quaid he is still on Earth.{{sfn|Hughes|2012|p=67}} Verhoeven had wanted to avoid special effects-heavy films after ''RoboCop'' and said that he did not realize how much effects work would be involved.{{sfn|Murray|1990b|p=31}} He requested Goldman be brought in to help with rewrites, as well as some core personnel from ''RoboCop,'' including cinematographer [[Jost Vacano]], production designer [[William Sandell]], and special effects artist [[Rob Bottin]].{{sfn|Roberts|1990|p=7}}{{sfn|Hughes|2012|pp=67–68}} By this point, approximately thirty drafts had been completed, credited to a combination of Shusett and either O'Bannon, [[Jon Povill]], or [[Steven Pressfield]], among others. Verhoeven read each one and highlighted those he wanted Goldman to reference.{{sfn|Hughes|2012|pp=67–68}}