'Total Recall' Director Says World Wasn't Ready For His 8-Breasted Hooker

Director Paul Verhoeven is proof inspiration strikes in species everywhere -- like dog nipples for the 8-breasted hooker he wanted for "Total Recall."

The famed director -- who also had a hand in classics like "RoboCop" and "Starship Troopers" -- dished LOTS of details when we caught up with him Thursday night in L.A. Check out the vid ... he's seriously fixated on boobs.

We couldn't leave without settling a huge puzzler in "Starship Troopers" -- is the big alien meant to look like a vagina?

Take a look.