“Twister” is an interesting film to discuss with folks. Some will swear by its campy, silly tone and say the Jan de Bont film is a classic. Others find it stupid and cheesy, relying on spectacle to tell a rather mundane story. Clearly, the latter group is wrong. But that doesn’t mean people are itching for a “Twister” reboot. But then again, it’s 2020 and the world is already going to hell, so why not?
According to Variety, Universal is dusting off the “Twister” IP and readying a reboot film, directed by none other than Joseph Kosinski. For those that missed the 1996 original film, which was a box office smash and has enjoyed a long run on cable in the nearly 25 years since, “Twister” tells the story of a group of tornado chasers that are on the hunt for the right opportunity to use their latest invention to help essentially map out the twisters and help scientists better predict them. That’s the plot, but the film is really about watching Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt run for their lives and avoid getting sucked up by a cyclone.
Kosinski is an interesting choice to helm the film, as he’s probably best known for his previous works such as “Tron: Legacy” and “Oblivion.” He’s also the man who is bringing “Top Gun” back from the dead in the upcoming sequel ‘Maverick,’ which finds him reteaming with Tom Cruise. And since that actor/director relationship already exists, why not bring Cruise on board of the “Twister” reboot? He loves to run away from things, so this seems to be a perfect fit.
Kidding aside, a “Twister” reboot is a truly strange proposition. While the story is easy enough to adapt to the modern day, the magic of the 1996 film is with the cast and the performances. Paxton and Hunt are great in the leads, but it’s the supporting cast that steals the show. We’re talking people like Cary Elwes, Jami Gertz, Alan Ruck, and Todd Field (yes, that Todd Field). And is there anyone on the planet that can possibly be better than Philip Seymour Hoffman, who played Dustin? If you haven’t seen “Twister” already, you absolutely have to watch Hoffman turn in a masterclass on scene-stealing. It’s a work of art.
It’s unclear when we might see the “Twister” reboot arrive in cinemas. Universal is currently on the hunt for writers. But in the meantime, take a look at some of the film’s best moments below: