Twisted didn’t shy away from the tragic reality that often accompanies tornadoes, but one behind-the-scenes detail reiterated how destructive storms can be in the blink of an eye. Like the original by Jan de Bont Twisted 1996, Twisted was billed as a disaster movie, but it also effectively showed the unpredictable nature of storms from a scientific perspective. While Twisted references the original Twistedthe standalone sequel took a modern approach while proving that more could be done to protect against storms. The idea propelled Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Kate to develop a way to weaken a tornado in real time.
Glen Powell co-led Twisted‘cast of characters for the long-awaited sequel to Twisted. Although there were no direct links between the story of the two films, director Lee Isaac Chung created a worthwhile summer blockbuster that was more than just a disaster movie. Not only did the cast and crew genuinely embrace the world of storm chasing, but filming on location allowed them to witness the dangers many areas face on a regular basis. In truth, TwistedFilming locations were affected by some weather events.
Twisters had to stop filming because of a real storm during the El Reno sequence
Twisters production took place in tornado-prone areas
The film’s big final third act took place in El Reno, Oklahoma, which was also one of the Twisted‘filming locations. As both teams encounter the dangerous fire tornado, the stakes instantly increase when the EF5 tornado changes course, traveling toward the city of El Reno. Kate, Tyler and the team joined Javi to help with evacuation efforts, including sheltering people at the nearby movie theater. The El Reno sequence in the film was chaotic, so it’s fitting that the cast and crew were forced to halt production in Twisted when a severe storm interrupted the set.
As shown in the film’s extra featurette titled Tracking the Fronts: The Way of the Twistersthe set built outside for the El Reno sequence was destroyed when a severe storm with high winds passed through. Everything that was prepared for the farmer’s market shown in the film had to be redone after the storm, which was ironic considering the crew previously used wind machines to show the impending tornado at the center of the scene. Essentially, the set designers Twisted I had to build the set, remake it after a real storm, and then watch it get destroyed again for the fake storm in the movie.
How Twisters paid homage to real storm chasers with its El Reno finale
The El Reno sequel was inspired by a tragic event
The El Reno sequence was thrilling and terrifying, but it also allowed Kate to complete her mission in Twisted ending up proving that his experiment weakened the twister. That being said, the location was chosen after being inspired by the 2013 El Reno tornado. The EF3 tornado swept through the area and ended up killing eight people, including four storm chasers, and injuring nearly 150 others.
“The El Reno setting being used in Twisted‘ The impactful ending was a way to honor those lost in the 2013 tragedy…”
Due to the tornado’s size and unpredictable movement, many in the region were unprepared, especially since it happened during rush hour. The El Reno setting being used in Twisted‘The impactful ending was a way to honor those lost in the 2013 tragedy, including the storm chasers who died or were seriously injured. Interestingly, storm chasing grew in popularity and was taken more seriously as a profession after the release of Twisted in 1996.
Source: Tracking the Fronts: The Path of the Twisters