1996's Twister Is Getting A Sequel, Somehow

Just like storm chases jumping into their truck to go after a weather event, Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment are in the process of fast-tracking Twisters, a sequel to the 1996 disaster film that starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, Deadline reports.

Twisters is in early development, but producers are hoping to see filming begin as early as this spring. The script comes via The Revenant writer Mark L. Smith; Steven Spielberg reportedly pushed to get the film moving after reading the script. The studio hasn't yet selected a director for the film. Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski was going to direct, but is working on an Apple-produced racing film starring Brad Pitt instead.

Other directors reportedly under consideration include Prey director Dan Trachtenberg, Kubo and the Two Strings director Travis Knight, and Free Solo co-directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai.

The studio hasn't revealed any casting just yet but is reportedly looking to bring Hellen Hunt back to reprise her role, focusing on the daughter her character, Jo Harding, had with Bill Paxton's character. Paxton passed away in 2017. With 25 years between the release of the original and this news, that's a pretty long wait, though George Miller made us wait 30 years for Mad Max: Fury Road, and that turned out pretty well.