TheTwistersequel is finally happening, as it was recently reported that a follow-up film, dubbedTwisters, is set to start filming early next year. Sadly, it won’t feature the return of Dr. William “The Extreme” Harding, as originalTwisterstarBill Paxtonpassed away in 2017. This has left many feeling leery aboutTwistersto the point that some fans are wondering why the sequel is even moving forward without the presence of the late actor.
But one person who’s on board withTwistersis James Paxton, Bill’s son. He tellsTMZthatTwisters"has his blessing" and he’s “hopeful they make a great movie.” Paxton also says he’s open to appearing in the film as a way of acknowledging his father. Should that happen, it’d be a full circle moment for him, as his dad used to bring him to theTwisterset as a kid. James says he’d often hang out in the red truck often shown in the film.
What’s more, the younger Paxton also says Bill was attempting to get aTwistersequel made prior to his passing. The idea he had was to introduce a new character as the daughter of his and Helen Hunt’s characters, and thatcouldbe the directionTwistersgoes in as word is Hunt is wanted to reprise her role. James says that because the original is such an “iconic” film, the sequel has the potential to be just as special as other successful legacy sequels likeTop Gun: Maverick.
Related:Twister 2 Plot Details Revealed, Will Honor the Late, Great Bill Paxton
Will Helen Hunt Return for Twisters?
A recent report fromDeadlinesuggests thatTwisterswill follow the daughter of Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt’s characters, reminiscent of the pitch Paxton had for the sequel he wanted to make. Though Paxton won’t be able to personally appear inTwisters, having his character’s daughter as the new protagonist will help honor him in a special way. It remains to be seen if Hunt will sign on for the project, but it does seem likely, as just last year, she revealed that shehad also been pitching aTwistersequelwith a new cast of diverse storm chasers.
“I tried to get it made,” she said onWatch What Happens Live with Mitch Cohen. “With Daveed [Diggs] and Rafael [Casal] and me writing it, and all Black and brown storm chasers, and they wouldn’t do it. I was going to direct it… We could barely get a meeting, and this is in June of 2020 when it was all about diversity. It would have been so cool.”
