We know that Colin Farrell (The Way Back) is attached to play Douglas Quaid/Hauser (the role previously made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger) in Sony Pictures’ upcoming Total Recall remake, we’ve had word that Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston would play the villain, and now it appears as though one of two leading female roles may have been filled; by non other than Kate Beckinsale.
In a rather unexpected (but not entirely unpredictable) move, director Len Wiseman (Die Hard 4.0) has turned away from the names previously reported to have been reading for the film’s female leads; one of whom is the wife of Quaid (who then turns out to be a hardened enemy), while the other plays a rebel leader and Hauser’s love interest; and has offered the part of Lori (Quaid’s wife; formerly portrayed by Sharon Stone) to Kate Beckinsale.
The move shouldn’t be a total surprise, as many may recall Beckinsale and Wiseman are married and, like Milla Jovovich to Paul WS Anderson, she has served has his muse numerous times; having worked together on the Underworld franchise for a number of years; and will now likely fulfill a role that helped kick-start Stone’s career 21 years ago.
Having updated the story from the original movie (and Philip K. Dick’s classic novel; We Can Remember It For You Wholesale; upon which the films are based), the new movie will place Quaid as a factory worker in the fictional state of New Shanghai, who comes to believe he is a spy, and is unsure whether he is really working for New Shanghai, or the villainous leader of Euroamerica; who is secretly readying a war against Shanghai.
So far there’s no word of an official casting, or any offers being expended, for the second female part; that of the rebel leader Melina (previously played by Rachel Tiicotin); although it’s believed Eva Mendes, and Rosario Dawson are currently in pole position to take the coveted role, in the movie that begins filming next month, ahead of an August 22nd release date next year.
Matt Wheeldon.
Source: Deadline.
