The Twister sequel is moving forward with a director now in talks to take the helm on the movie for Universal and Amblin. Per Deadline, Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) is on deck to direct the sequel, which will be penned by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant). Frank Marshall (Jurassic World Dominion) is producing the feature under his Kennedy/Marshall banner, while original Twister studio Warner Bros. Pictures will co-finance the project.

Chung is best known for writing and directing the 2020 film Minari with Steven Yeun and Han Ye-ri. The film was considered by many to be among the best films of the year, going up for six major awards at the Oscars, including Best Picture along with Best Director for Chung. Minari was inspired by Chung’s real-life upbringing in rural America, and because of his background, he knows first-hand what it’s like to seek cover in storm cellars when under threat of tornadoes. This is said to be put Chung in favor with studio execs for directing Twisters.

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With the focus on securing a director, no cast members have yet been officially attached to the project. When it was announced that Twisters was officially a go, it was reported that the goal was to get Helen Hunt to reprise her role from the original Twister. As of now, there’s been no indication that Hunt has signed on. No details have been revealed about the plot, though we can presume it will focus on dangerous tornadoes, opening the door for legacy characters with experience coming in to offer some advice or assistance.

“There is no need to keep asking if I am involved in the sequel,” actor Sean Whalen, who was in the original film, said of his possible inclusion on Twisters. “I wouldn’t know for months and if I was involved they probably wouldn’t let me tell you anyway. I am assuming they will pick maybe a few original people and I may or may not be one of them. Obviously, I would love to be a part of it, But it’s all good. I’m just happy to be part of the Twister original.”

Twister Finally Gets a Sequel

     Warner Bros.

The original Twister was directed by Jan de Bont, who quit directing after working on the 2003 movie Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, explaining why he’s not back at the helm for Twisters. Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin penned the screenplay for the first film as well. Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton memorably led the cast, which also included Jami Gertz, Cary Elwes, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alan Ruck, Todd Field, Jeremy Davies, and Sean Whalen.

An official sequel was never made until now, though the original movie was a massive hit. It grossed $495 million at the box office to become the year’s second highest grossing movie. It was also up for Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. The movie was so popular that it had also inspired a theme park attraction at Universal Studios Florida, though it closed down in 2015.

Twisters doesn’t yet have a premiere date.