‘Twisters’: Universal & Amblin Are On The Hunt For A Director For ‘The Revenant’ Writer’s ‘Twister’ Sequel

If you’re someone who grew up in the ‘90s, “Twister” probably holds a special place in your heart. This is the film that really started the modern influx of disaster films and features one of the best ensemble casts in a blockbuster ever (Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and even Todd Field). It’s fairly shocking that we never got a sequel, honestly. Well, it may be more than 25 years later, but it seems as if that sequel is finally coming to fruition with the title of “Twisters.”

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According to Deadline, Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment are desperate to get the “Twister” sequel, “Twisters,” in front of cameras in the first half of 2023. Apparently, there’s a script that everyone loves, written by “The Revenant” screenwriter Mark L. Smith, and the studios are just on the hunt for the right filmmaker to bring it to life. 

The report claims that “Top Gun: Maverick” filmmaker, Joseph Kosinski, was originally attached to direct the film but his schedule got busy, leaving him out of the running. Among the filmmakers the studio has its eyes on are the duo of Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vaserhelyi of “Free Solo” fame, Dan Trachtenberg, who recently worked on “Prey,” and Travis Knight, best known for the animated film, “Kubo and the Two Strings,” as well as 2018’s “Bumblebee.”

READ MORE: Helen Hunt’s Failed ‘Twister’ Sequel Would Have Starred Daveed Diggs & Rafael Casal And Feature Rockets Being Shot At Tornadoes

Interestingly, Trachtenberg has also denied the report with a tweet that said, “To whom it may concern. I am not making a TWISTER.” So, take that for what it’s worth. 

The report also says there are possibly one or two other filmmakers on the list, but they aren’t known at this time.

So, what’s a “Twister” sequel going to look like? Well, apparently, “Twisters” tells the story of the daughter of Hunt and Paxton’s characters, who much like her parents, has a fascination with storm chasing. You would assume Hunt would return to star in the film, as well as anyone else they can snag from the first film. 

If filming does begin in the first part of 2023, then a 2024 release makes the most sense, though an actual date has yet to be announced. 

To whom it may concern. I am not making a TWISTER.

— Dan Trachtenberg (@DannyTRS) October 17, 2022