Twisters, the follow-up to the 1996 classic disaster movie Twister is enjoying its box office success. The sequel has collected a massive $80.5 million in its debut, becoming the third biggest opening weekend of the year behind Inside Out 2 ($154 million) and Dune: Part Two ($82 million). But it’s not only about the box office collection that is making the headlines, but some creative decisions by director Lee Isaac Chung as well.
It Was Steven Spielberg Who Suggested Twisters Kissing Scene Removal
Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones in Twisters (2024). Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures, Universal Pictures
Those anticipating a romantic conclusion between Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones in Twisters may have left the theater feeling let down. However, this decision was influenced by one of the most iconic filmmakers in history, and the actors have no regrets.
In a recent discussion with Collider, Edgar-Jones mentioned that Steven Spielberg recommended that the movie should not end with a kiss between the lead characters, despite director Lee Isaac Chung having filmed a version that included one. Although the specific reasons behind Spielberg’s suggestion were not disclosed, the actors expressed their full agreement with the final choice.
Regarding the omitted kiss, Edgar-Jones told Collider, “I think it’s a Spielberg note, wasn’t it?” She revealed that executive producer Steven Spielberg decided against showing the kiss in the movie.
She noted, “I think it stops the film feeling too clichéd, actually. I think there’s something really wonderful about it feeling like there’s a continuation. This isn’t the end of their story. They’re united by their shared passion for something.”
Powell echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the movie is not primarily “about them finding love” in a romantic sense. He explained, “It’s returning Kate to the thing that she loves, which is storm chasing. So that’s what you have at the end of the movie. They share this thing, and her passion is reinvigorated, and her sense of home is reinvigorated. I feel like a kiss would be sort of unrepresentative of the right goal at the end of the movie.”
The film concludes with a scene at the airport where Glen Powell’s character, Tyler Owens, rushes to prevent Daisy Edgar-Jones’ character, Kate Cooper, from boarding a flight home. He succeeds, and they ultimately set off together to chase another storm, underscoring their shared passion and ongoing journey.
Twisters Director About the Kissing Scene Removal
Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones in Twisters (2024). Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures, Universal Pictures
Lee Isaac Chung, the director behind the new thriller “Twisters,” revealed some interesting choices he made regarding the film’s ending. The movie centers on a budding relationship between a meteorologist, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones, and a tornado wrangler, portrayed by Glen Powell. While Chung filmed a scene featuring a kiss between the two characters, he ultimately decided to exclude it from the final cut.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Chung noted that the kiss version had polarized audiences. He remarked, “I think it’s a better ending. And I think that people who want a kiss within it, they can probably assume that these guys will kiss someday. And maybe we can give them privacy for that.“
The cast of Twisters includes Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane, Daryl McCormack, Kiernan Shipka, Nik Dodani, Katy O’Brian, and Maura Tierney. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung and scripted by Mark L. Smith, Twisters is running in theaters.
