Twister is a 1996 American epic disaster film directed by Jan de Bont from a screenplay by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin. It was produced by Crichton, Kathleen Kennedy and Ian Bryce, with Steven Spielberg, Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, and Gerald R. Molen serving as executive producers. The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Jami Gertz, Cary Elwes, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alan Ruck, Todd Field, and Jeremy Daviesas a group of amateur but spirited storm chasers trying to deploy a tornado research device during a severe outbreak in Oklahoma. Twister was officially released in theaters on May 10, 1996. It is notable for being the first film to be released on DVD in the United States, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures And Universal Pictures.
Cast[]
- Helen Hunt as Dr. Joanne "Jo" Harding, an eccentric meteorologist and storm-chaser. Before Hunt was cast, Laura Dern, Bridget Fonda and Kate Mulgrew were considered.
- Alexa Vega as Young Jo Thornton
- Bill Paxton as Dr. William "Bill/The Extreme" Harding, a former storm-chaser known for his bizarre "tornado whispering" methods, now a TV weather reporter. Before Paxton was cast, Tom Hanks was the original choice for the role, but had to drop out before allowing Paxton, his Apollo 13 co-star, to land in the role. Other actors such as Michael Keaton, Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid, John Travolta, Richard Gere, John Cusack, Nicolas Cage, Bruce Willis and Val Kilmer were all considered.
- Cary Elwes as Dr. Jonas Miller, a storm-chasing rival of Jo and Bill's who also leads a team of storm chasers. Before Elwes was cast, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Laurie, Christopher McDonald and Peter Greene were all considered.
- Jami Gertz as Dr. Melissa Reeves, a reproductive therapist and Bill's fiancée. Before Gertz was cast, Mira Sorvino was considered, but she refused to dye her hair brown for the part.
- Lois Smith as "Aunt Meg" Greene, Jo's loving aunt and mother figure to Jo's Team. She also has a golden retriever named Mose who joins the team after she is injured in the F4 Wakita tornado.
- Alan Ruck as Robert "Rabbit" Nurick, Jo's navigator.
- Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dustin "Dusty" Davis, an outgoing and excitable member of Jo's team who operates the team's mobile lab, nicknamed "Barn Burner." Before Hoffman was cast, Garth Brooks, Mark Cuban and Chris Farley were considered.
- Jeremy Davies as Brian Laurence, One of Jo's two photographers and has a timid personality.
- Todd Field as Tim "Beltzer" Lewis, Jo's Doppler radar operator, is similar to Dusty in that he can be equally excitable during tornado chases.