‘This Movie’s Gonna Do For Tornadoes I Think What Jaws Did For Sharks’: Someone Found OG Footage Of Bill Paxton On The Twister Set, And It’s Delightful (And Prescient)

As a child of the ’90s Midwest, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when I think about the impact that “Twister” had on our lives. It wasn’t just a movie; it was an adrenaline-pumping reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature that made us cower in fear, yet couldn’t help but be captivated by its spectacle.

Back in the ’90s, especially if you were from the Midwest like me, thunderstorms meant more than just finding shelter. They sparked a rush to the tornado shelter, as we braced ourselves against the possibility of seeing a flying cow or bouncing tire. This fear was largely fueled by the 1996 blockbuster, Twister. Interestingly, the upcoming sequel to this classic movie, Twisters (set for release in 2024), has generated some excitement. Recently, some original footage has resurfaced, and it includes the late Bill Paxton on set of the ’90s film. In this footage, Paxton confidently forecasted, “This movie’s gonna do for tornadoes what Jaws did for sharks.” Indeed, he was right on the money!

Entertainment Tonight recently published a behind-the-scenes video from the set of “Twister,” showing Bill Paxton at work. The video takes us back to ’90s Hollywood filmmaking, with authentic wreckage and damaged steps for Paxton to traverse. Despite the unstable set, he almost trips several times but, as a skilled actor, quickly regains his footing. This footage demonstrates Paxton’s charming and fun-loving personality, which endeared him to so many. What stands out, though, is that in this video, the “Titanic” actor makes a prediction about the presidency. Check it out for yourself on Instagram.

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In a nearly three-decade span, the claim made by the actor from the movie “Aliens” about the influence of his and Helen Hunt’s film feels spot on. Similar to how “Jaws” caused beachgoers to fear the water, this 1996 tornado epic has left an enduring impact on our perception of tornadoes. By transforming a natural calamity into an exhilarating cinematic adventure, it gripped audiences globally. The movie’s groundbreaking special effects breathed life into the terrifying might of tornadoes, setting a new benchmark for disaster films.

It’s fascinating to point out that unlike the movie Jaws, which reportedly caused an uptick in shark deaths, as per the Smithsonian Magazine, the film Twister had a contrasting effect. Despite its scientific inaccuracies and over-the-top tornado scenes, Twister sparked interest in numerous people to pursue careers in real-life severe storm research.

The original Twister movie mirrored the success of Jaws, dominating the summer box office. Now, the sequel, Twisters, is similarly making a strong impression at the box office. A touching moment associated with the sequel’s premiere was Glenn Powell, one of the film’s leads, paying tribute to the late Bill Paxton. On the day of the movie’s release, Powell posted a photo of himself and Paxton wearing cowboy hats and a heartfelt message in honor of the deceased actor. Tragically, Paxton passed away in 2017 at the age of 61 due to complications with his aortic heart valve. However, his impact through his memorable film roles lives on, such as his standout performance in Jan de Bont’s cherished disaster movie, which Paxton was passionately committed to, as evidenced by this recently unearthed footage.

2024-08-06 22:37

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