“Twisters” is set to make its cinematic debut soon, and fans of the 1996 disaster movie “Twister” are eager to know how it connects to the original. “Twister” was a massive hit, becoming the second highest-grossing film of its release year and showcasing the early potential of digital visual effects. Given its success, it’s surprising that it took nearly three decades for another film in the same universe to be made.
The new film, “Twisters,” stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos. But is it a sequel or a reboot? Director Lee Isaac Chung shared his perspective on the Inside Total Film podcast and in an interview with GamesRadar+. “I studied science in university, so this is probably a nerdy answer,” Chung said. “I see it as a new science experiment. [It’s the] same world. We don’t have the same characters, but it’s a new experiment. There are a lot of nods to the original.”
Chung emphasized that while “Twisters” pays homage to the original, it also stands on its own. “I hope I’ve made it its own thing as well. That’s what I found invigorating about making this movie – the chance to do something new with that first story that I really loved, to do a new chapter, if you will.”
Unlike many legacy sequels like “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Jurassic World: Dominion,” and “Blade Runner 2049,” “Twisters” introduces entirely new characters. The only returning element is “Dorothy,” the tornado-measuring technology from the first film. When asked if there was ever a possibility of including characters from the original, Chung explained that the focus was always on a fresh start. “That decision was kind of made before I got on board,” he said. “The studios and everybody involved really wanted to run with this script that Joe Kosinski and Mark L. Smith – Mark L. Smith being the primary writer – had developed. I think they liked this idea of a direction where it’s a whole new story.”
Chung joined the project during this process and expressed his hope to share the film with the original cast and “Twister” director Jan de Bont. “I hope that we’ve honored the work that they’ve done,” he added.
Interestingly, there is a connection to “Top Gun: Maverick” through Kosinski’s story credit and star Glen Powell. This connection was further highlighted when Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance at the European premiere of “Twisters” in London. Cruise, who starred in “Top Gun: Maverick,” took a photo with Powell before the film started. “I didn’t know he was going to be there,” Chung laughed. “He was very kind. He said hello before the film, and I was able to say hi to him. I could just see how much affection he had for Glen in that moment, when we were all backstage. It seems like there’s a real, genuine, deep friendship there. So that was really beautiful to see.”
Chung admitted that it was hard to relax during the movie knowing that Cruise was in the audience. “I kept on watching Tom, I’ve got to admit, as I’m watching the film,” he said. “I was just curious how he’s reacting to the movie. And I would see that he keeps on leaning forward and touching somebody. And I was like, ‘Who’s that?’ And then I realized he’s actually patting Anthony Ramos on the back in various scenes. I was really touched by that. He was being so supportive and loving to other fellow actors, and really acknowledging the work they were doing. So it was really cool. I gained a lot of newfound respect for him.”
“Twisters” opens in UK cinemas on July 17, followed by a US release on July 19. For more insights from Lee Isaac Chung, you can listen to the new episode of the Inside Total Film podcast.
Source: GamesRadar+, Inside Total Film podcast
