10 Things You Didn’t Know About Total Recall

4. It Was Originally Pitched as €œRaiders of the Lost Ark goes to Mars€

We€™ve all heard of films being pitched using pithy comparisons to existing films, e.g. Alien being €œHallowe€™en in space€. When Shusett and O€™Bannon purchased the rights to Philip K. Dick€™s short story, €˜We Can Remember It For You Wholesale€™, they were keen to retune it to have a blockbuster sensibility, reflecting the success not just of Indiana Jones but of Alien, on which the two first collaborated. Their vision was the main sticking point for Cronenberg, who wanted to attempt something more horror-based and expressionistic. As to how much of Raiders is in the final film €“ that€™s for you to decide.
Contributor
Contributor

Freelance copywriter, film buff, community radio presenter. Former host of The Movie Hour podcast (http://www.lionheartradio.com/ and click 'Interviews'), currently presenting on Phonic FM in Exeter (http://www.phonic.fm/). Other loves include theatre, music and test cricket.