Stormy Sequel: Studio Catastrophe Revisited in Epic Disaster Film Redux
A new storm's a-brewin' in 2024 with the release of Twisters, the much-awaited sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Twister. Produced by the minds behind Jurassic, Bourne, and Indiana Jones films, this modern-day adventure packs a punch full of science, action, and heart.
Back in '96, Amblin Entertainment and The Kennedy/Marshall Company turned the natural disaster film on its head with Twister. The super-team of producer Steven Spielberg, best-selling author Michael Crichton, and director Jan de Bont brought tornadoes to life like never before through groundbreaking digital effects and smart meteorologists turned action heroes. Twisters is a timely continuation of this iconic franchise, exploring a bold new direction.
Frank Marshall, one of the original producers, shares his thoughts, "One of the reasons Twister was so compelling was that Michael Crichton was writing about things that were science fact, not science fiction." He goes on to explain, "Folks are fascinated by things they can relate to, and unfortunately, the things Michael wrote about in the '90s have now become more frequent and severe."
In Twisters, Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Kate Cooper, a former storm chaser seeking redemption after a tragic encounter with a tornado in her college years. She's lured back to the open plains by her old friend Javi to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. Along the way, she crosses paths with the daring and reckless Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a social media sensation who thrives on documenting his storm-chasing adventures.
As the storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, putting Kate, Tyler, and their competing teams smack dab in the path of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in a fight for their lives.
The Twisters team delved deep into research to ensure accuracy and realism. They consulted Kevin Kelleher, a former analyst at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who worked on the original Twister. Kelleher returned to the franchise to help keep things grounded in science, research, and reality.
Kelleher shares his experience, "I was impressed and moved by the respect the producers had for real science and the desire to reflect that in the movie." He continues, "We know more about tornadoes than ever before, but fundamental questions remain about how and why they occur and what can be done to detect them sooner."
Twisters also incorporates insights on the role climate change plays in extreme weather events. The producers emphasize the need for increased scientific knowledge to help increase warning lead times and explore the possibility that technological innovations may one day help reduce the effects of climate change.
All in all, Twisters is a thrilling adventure that merges science, action, and emotion in a captivating journey into the heart of the storm. So buckle up and brace yourself for a wild ride!
In Twisters, the producers once again collaborate with experts in environmental science and climate-change, extending Michael Crichton's mission to portray science fact, not fiction. As Kate Cooper, a former storm chaser, delves into independent filmmaking, she connects with environmental science to create a groundbreaking new tracking system, emphasizing the role climate-change plays in natural disasters.
