Why Is OG Twisters Star Helen Hunt Absent From New Glen Powell Starrer Movie? Explored

As a die-hard fan of the iconic 1996 movie Twister, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment as I learn that Helen Hunt won’t be reprising her role as Dr. Jo Harding in the upcoming sequel, Twisters. The original film holds a special place in my heart for its thrilling tornado chases and the unforgettable character of Jo Harding.


For decades, the anticipation among fans for the follow-up to the 1996 blockbuster Twister has been growing. The original film is cherished for its heart-pounding tornado scenes and unforgettable characters like Dr. Jo Harding, portrayed by Helen Hunt. With the release of Twisters in cinemas, there was widespread optimism that Hunt would once again bring her character to life.

Although some fans had hoped that Helen Hunt would appear in the latest film installation, unfortunately, she won’t be included. Instead, the new production brings together a new ensemble and narrative. Let’s explore why Helen Hunt is absent from the upcoming movie featuring Glenn Powell.

Why is Helen Hunt missing?

Many fans find it surprising that Helen Hunt is not in the new Twisters movie, given her past interest in making a sequel. In 2021, Hunt shared her plans to create a follow-up with a diverse cast of storm chasers and contemporary themes. However, despite initial involvement, she is no longer part of the project as reported by multiple sources.

Daveed Diggs’ insight

Based on information from Daveed Diggs, who had been involved in earlier discussions about a sequel, Hunt was developing a fresh concept. Sadly, however, Hunt’s sequel plans did not materialize as intended. In a conversation with Insider, Diggs expressed his disappointment over the project’s outcome.

In conversation, he mentioned an instance where a possibility arose but nothing came of it, and the explanations behind this non-occurrence could be questionable, reflecting the industry’s often dubious nature. Hunt had previously shared her ideas for a sequel as far back as 2021.

This woman shared her idea for a revamped Twister game, where the characters would be black and brown storm trackers. She envisioned a fresh plotline situated at a Historically Black College or University, focusing on the exciting field of rocket science.

A new Torando adventure with a fresh cast

In the continuation of the initial film, Twisters introduces a fresh crew of storm chasers with Daisy Edgar-Jones portraying Kate Cooper. Kate, who has a tumultuous history, was once deeply involved in storm chasing but was devastated when she lost friends including her boyfriend in a college tornado incident. After many years, her past comes knocking as her former associate, played by Anthony Ramos as Javi, re-enters her life and lures her back into the thrilling yet perilous realm of storm chasing.

As Kate steps back into perilous circumstances, her phone rings with a call from her mom, ramping up the intrigue in the narrative. Yet, as the plot unfolds, it’s revealed that Helen Hunt is not portraying Kate’s mother. Instead, Maura Tierney takes on this role in the film, introducing new characters and advanced storm-chasing equipment.

What does Helen Hunt’s absence mean for the franchise?

Helen Hunt not being in the latest Twisters movie is a significant change from the 1996 original that was a huge success. This trend of recasting and reimagining classic films with new stories is becoming more common in Hollywood. The current sequel, without Helen Hunt’s presence, is helmed by Lee Isaac Chung and written by Mark L. Smith.

Lee Isaac Chung described his reason for not including Jo Harding in the story: “I didn’t feel it was right for Jo to be depicted doing that later in life… I pictured Jo, instead of being at the farm feeling neglected by her daughter’s absence, she would be out there seeking adventure by chasing storms.”

Glenn Powell’s role and connection to the original

In the latest Twister film, Glenn Powell’s character maintains a link to the 1996 original by pursuing storms just as the previous cast did. This continuity bridges the new movie to the old one, preserving the essence of the first film while infusing it with fresh content. Fans of the initial Twister production will identify and enjoy this connection.

An intriguing aspect of Twisters is the advanced technology named Dorothy V, which Kate Cooper employs instead of the previous versions Dorothy I-IV used by Jo Harding and her team in the original Twister for tornado data collection. Readers might be curious as to how Kate obtained Dorothy V when Jo wasn’t part of the new project.

For further updates on Twisters, stay tuned with PINKVILLA.

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2024-07-20 15:42