Summary
Twistersdirector Lee Isaac Chung has opened up on his decision not to bring back Oscar-winner Helen Hunt, star of the original, for his sequel. Hunt played the role of storm-chasing meteorologist Jo Harding in Jan De Bont’s 1996 disaster classic, and now, 28 years later, Chung’s sequel is enjoying a strong opening weekend at the box office. The follow-up filmstars Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones as a new generation of storm chasers, pitting their wits against nature, but Hunt is a notable absence from the cast.
In an exclusive interview withThe Wrap, Chung opened up about filming the sequel, and the creative decisions he chose to make for the project. Among the talking points theMinaridirector touched on the decision not to bring Hunt back for the sequel. Mentioning howhe didn’t think it would fit the character, and that he was unable to come up with a way of integrating Jo into the story in a satisfactory way, Chung revealed it wasn’t what he wanted to see the character doing:
“I just felt like that is not what I want to see Jo Harding doing years from now,” Chung said. “Right after seeing that first film, I imagined, ‘What is Jo Harding up to now?’ She’s out there chasing storm[s], not at the farm complaining that her daughter’s not calling her. And so that was really the basis of why, ‘OK,it’s got to be someone else.’”
Why Twisters Can Thrive Despite The Absence Of Hunt & Other Original Stars
The film already exceeded expectations at the box office
Twistershas enjoyed a strong opening weekend box-office, bringing in more than $80 million in North America, and a worldwide gross to date of $123 million.The movie has exceeded expectations domestically, despite the omission of Hunt from theTwisterscast,as well as the other stars from the original movie. In fact, Chung’s decision to make the movie a standalone sequel has likely helped improve its box-office prospects, as well as helping with positive critical reviews.
“Whilst it is important for sequels to stand on their own two feet, there is also a need to pay homage to earlier works, and this is often achieved by utilizing cast members from the original movie.”
While it is important for sequels to stand on their own two feet, there is also a need to pay homage to earlier works, and this is often achieved by utilizing cast members from the original movie. However, despite the fact thatTwistershas no Helen Hunt twist,it does manage to pay homage to itsTwisterwith several referencesthat connect to the original movie. Whilst this is perhaps less fulfilling than the return of stars like Hunt, it plays an important part in helping to set the movie apart from what has come before, and ensuring it appeals to a wide audience.
I’m So Happy That Twisters Didn’t Use An Expected Helen Hunt Twist
Twisters makes a surprising decision regarding the return of Helen Hunt’s Jo Harding, with it taking a direction that I really didn’t expect.
As for Hunt, she has most recently appeared in the TV showsBlindspottingandHacks, and is currently filming the movieLucca Mortisalongside Dustin Hoffman. While it’s unclear if there will be a follow-up sequel toTwisters, there is an outside chance that the Hollywood icon could make an appearance in some capacity, even if it’s in a small role akin to oneTwisterstar’s cameo in the sequel. For now, it is clear that any additional movies in the franchise will be dependent uponTwistershaving a strong theatrical run, and so far things are looking good.
Twisters
Cast
A follow-up to the 1996 original film Twister, Twisters is a sequel set years after the original, said to be fast-tracked by Steven Spielberg and Mark L. Smith, with Frank Marshal as producer. Little details exist about the film, but Helen Hunt is expected to reprise her role as Jo, with the film likely to pay homage to the late Bill Paxton.
