On November 18, 1987, producer Hal McElroy sent a letter to President Corazon Aquino informing her of his and director Robert Markowitz's intention to film a miniseries in the Philippines the following year titled A Dangerous Life, about the People Power Revolution. The planned budget would be $11 million, and the completion date in August 1988. By December, the film was revealed to have an additional title: The Four Day Revolution, and the fictitious character of Ben Ayala was renamed Ben Balano. McElroy was advised by the local producer Lope V. Juban to first consult with the major figures to be depicted, such as Fidel V. Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile.
