'Twisters': Universal announces sequel to the 1996 film 'Twister', sets 2024 summer release date
![Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton in a still from 'Twister' (Amblin Entertainment)](http://d2a0gza273xfgz.cloudfront.net/597440/uploads/17dcb680-8218-11ed-8619-0574bfc3b825_1200_630.jpeg)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In 1996, Universal Pictures came forward with one of the finest movies based on natural calamities in the form of ‘Twister’. The movie starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt turned out to be a huge box office hit and received generally positive reviews from critics. Over the years, the movie has gained a cult status and viewers have been wanting to see another movie in the franchise. It seems Universal Pictures have heard their prayers and finally coming out with another ‘Twister’ movie.
In one fascinating piece of news, the production giant has announced that a new movie in the franchise, titled ‘Twisters’, will be released in theatres in 2024 and will serve as a sequel to the 1996 film. The studio also announced the release date for the sequel and noted that the film will be making its way to the theatres on July 19, 2024, per Deadline.
Apart from the title and release date, the production house also revealed that the movie will be directed by Lee Isaac Chung, who is known for making ‘Minari’. On the other hand, Mark L. Smith known for co-writing ‘The Revenant’ will be penning the script. No plot details have been revealed yet.
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![A still from 'Twister' (Amblin Entertainment)](http://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/1bd12ab6-3e58-4d33-bfcd-8ee1d8f97fc9.jpg)
It’s interesting that Universal Pictures is taking a gamble to release the movie in July 2024, which is already packed with releases such as Paramount’s ‘Transformers: A New Generation’ and Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts’. The next chapter in the ‘Transformers’ saga will open on the same date as ‘Twisters’ while ‘Thunderbolts’ will be heading to theatres one week after both movies.
‘Twister’ focuses on a group of amateur but spirited tornado watchers trying to deploy a tornado research device during a severe outbreak in Oklahoma. However, things turn really wild when they find themselves in horrendous situations which make them realize the devastation that the natural calamity caused. The epic disaster film was directed by Jan de Bont and produced by the likes of Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg. The film went on to earn $41.1 million in its opening weekend and topped the box office domestically. During its theatrical run in North America, the movie earned more than $241 million at the box office and raked over $254 million internationally, taking its global tally to $495 million.
As of now, there is no confirmation if Helen Hunt will be making an appearance in the movie or not. Paxton, who played the lead role in the original movie, died in February 2017. He was 61. It will be interesting to see if Paxton’s character will be mentioned in the movie or if the movie will tackle something really different.