Paul Verhoeven Used An Unorthodox Method For Casting Total Recall

According to a 2020 interview with SYFY Wire, Mel Johnson Jr. said he walked into his audition for the role of Benny unaware that Paul Verhoeven was the director. He got the part, and when he got on his flight to Mexico City where the “Total Recall” crew built Mars on Earth – without any CGI – he was unaware of who gave him the role. “These two teenage girls walk down the aisle, and they look at me and they say, ‘Oh, you’re playing Benny,'” he said. “‘We’re Paul Verhoeven’s daughters, and we picked you,’ And I went, ‘What?!'”

Verhoeven wanted the movie to reach a younger audience, so he had his daughters, Claudia and Helen, assist him. The pair watched the screen tests for all the Benny hopefuls and concluded that Johnson Jr. was their guy. Without knowing all the other actors who auditioned for the role, I will say that Claudia and Helen made the right choice. Johnson Jr. played his role as the weaseling snake so well. He really suckers you in with his giant smile. 

Many fans are waiting for a follow-up, if you don’t count the 2012 reboot with Colin Farrell, and we nearly saw a “Total Recall” sequel. Until Verhoeven announces his retirement, I’ll continue to hold out hope. If a “Total Recall 2” does happen, don’t be surprised if Verhoeven designates casting duties to more teenagers.