The intriguing visual of Kuato alongside Marshall Bell in “Total Recall” is the result of practical effects craftsmanship. The production team, instead of attaching animatronics to a live actor, opted to construct a full-scale duplicate of Marshall Bell, inclusive of the integrated Kuato. This allowed puppeteers to manage not only Kuato’s facial movements and limbs but also the expressions of Marshall Bell’s replica. Since Bell’s character was under a trance during Kuato’s scenes, this did not require extensive animation for the head of the puppet.
Filmmaker Paul Verhoeven has expressed his astonishment at the sophistication of the Kuato animatronic, noted as the most elaborate prop for the film:
“The most complex one, of course, was Kuato. It had to be done with 15 puppeteers that would do all the –- that would do the arms, and the eyes, and the mouth. [Rob] Bottin had made the thing so real, two people asked me if it was a real ‘freak,’ a semi-born Siamese twin.”
The reference to “Siamese twin” used by Verhoeven dates to Chang and Eng Bunker, conjoined twins who lived in the 19th century and originated from the Rattanakosin Kingdom, or Kingdom of Siam. This historical term has now fallen out of favor due to its insensitivity. Similarly, what were previously referred to as “freak shows” in circuses showcasing individuals with unusual physical attributes have also been largely abandoned since the mid-20th century due to ethical considerations.
Nevertheless, Rob Bottin’s work on “Total Recall” was indeed extraordinary, attesting to the skills involved in practical creature effects.
FAQs
Q: Was any CGI used to create the character Kuato in “Total Recall”?
A: No, the character Kuato was created entirely using practical effects and was operated by puppeteers without any CGI.
Q: How many puppeteers were involved in operating the Kuato animatronic?
A: There were 15 puppeteers working together to animate Kuato, achieving the character’s movements and expressions.
Q: What does Paul Verhoeven mean by “Siamese twin”?
A: Verhoeven’s use of the term “Siamese twin” refers to conjoined twins, originating from the famous conjoined twin brothers Chang and Eng Bunker from the 19th century. However, this term is now considered outdated and insensitive.
Q: Who is Marshall Bell in relation to Kuato?
A: Marshall Bell played the character George / Kuato in “Total Recall,” where Kuato is a mutant protruding from George’s body. A full-body puppet duplicate of Marshall Bell was created for the scenes featuring Kuato.