“Twisters” steps away from the standard pattern of “legaquels” by keeping its connections to the 1996 movie to an absolute minimum. There are no forced, phoned-in cameos from the cast of the 1996 movie (which was led by Helen Hunt and the late Bill Paxton); just a few little homages. Wisely, the producers seem to have realized that the strength of “Twister” was its main hook — the daredevil antics of storm-chasers, and the love of extreme weather that drives them — and not the lore of the Twister Cinematic Universe. Chung says he was told, “Make ‘Twisters’ as though this is your film and don’t worry too much about that original,” and he found that “very liberating” (per Variety).
This approach also allowed “Twisters” to let its new stars shine. This isn’t Daisy Edgar-Jones’ first rodeo with a bad boy, having previously starred in the acclaimed romantic drama series “Normal People” and the gleefully dark cannibal horror “Fresh.” She’s a master of flirty banter and pairs very well with Glen Powell, the leading man of “Twisters.”
Powell has been going from strength to strength, leaping from the monster hit “Top Gun: Maverick” to surprise romcom success “Anyone But You,” and now continuing his box office hot streak with “Twisters.” The movie’s marketing certainly knew how to make the most of Powell (i.e. shots of him getting soaked by a sudden downpour while wearing a white T-shirt). The actor’s million-dollar smile was probably as much of a draw as the twisters themselves; audience demographics show a roughly even split of men and women, and couples made up 41% of opening day ticket buyers.
(If you’re a recently converted Powelligan and you’re interested in seeing him with an ’80s mustache, be sure to check out Richard Linklater’s “Everybody Wants Some!!”)