In October, news broke that Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment have “Twisters,” a sequel to the 1996 blockbuster “Twister” in the works. Good idea? Maybe not, since stars Bill Pullman and Philip Seymour Hoffman are no longer with us. But “Twister” pulled in nearly $500 million at the box office, so maybe Universal & Amblin think their sequel will beat those numbers.
And now it appears “Twisters” may have its director. Deadline reports that “Minari” director Lee Isaac Chung is discussing joining the project. If he signs on, he’ll direct a screenplay by “The Revenant” scribe Mark L. Smith. “Jurassic Park: Dominion” producer Frank Markshall produces through his Kennedy/Marshall banner, with Warner Bros. also co-financing the picture.
No word on if Helen Hunt will return to reprise her role from the first “Twister” movie, but producers hope the drama will focus on Hunt and the daughter she had with the late Paxton as they chase storms together. In fact, producers want to finalize who their director is, preferably Chung, before they sign anyone on to star in the film. Chung’s “Minari,” a semi-autobiographical family drama about a Korean family living in 1980s Arkansas, was one of 2020’s critical darlings. The film earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Chung.
According to Deadline, Chung’s firsthand experience taking cover in storm cellars from tornados growing up in Arkansas make producers think he’s the man for the “Twisters” job. “Speed” director Jan de Bont won’t return to helm the sequel, as his last directing stint was 2003’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle Of Life.” It’s fair to assume Alan Ruck, Todd Field, Jeremy Davies, and other “Twister” actors also won’t be back for “Twisters,” but who knows?
Lee Isaac Chung helming a storm-chasing action pic doesn’t make sense on paper, but maybe his childhood experience with tornadoes makes him a solid fit. More news on “Twisters” soon.