‘Twisters’ Director Missed Flying Cow in His Own Movie After VFX Team Snuck It In

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‘Twisters’ Director Missed Flying Cow in His Own Movie After VFX Team Snuck It In

As a longtime gamer and avid moviegoer, I was both excited and skeptical when I heard about the release of “Twisters,” the spiritual sequel to the classic 1996 disaster film. Having grown up watching the original, I couldn’t help but wonder how the new installment would measure up, especially considering the iconic cow scene that was a staple of the original.

[This story contains spoilers for Twisters.]

If you missed the flying cow scene in “Twisters,” don’t feel bad. Its director, Lee Isaac Chung, admitted that he didn’t catch the tribute to the original film during its first viewing either.

“Chung expressed surprise to The Hollywood Reporter, commenting, ‘It seems everyone has been hoping for a cow in this movie.’ Initially hesitant to incorporate such a literal and fantastical element as a flying cow swept up by a tornado from the 1996 film, which appeared floating serenely before the car, Chung’s visual effects team took the initiative and found a solution.”

Near the end of the movie, when an enormous F5 tornado is heading straight for El Reno, Oklahoma, there’s a fleeting moment of a cow being swept up in the tempest… or so it seems. “It’s extremely challenging to make out,” Chung shared. “I only managed to see it because I noticed some peculiar marks on a floating scrap. I exclaimed, ‘Freeze that frame!’ Upon closely examining frame-by-frame footage during VFX evaluations, a cow was indeed present in the debris.”

As a gamer, I was taken aback when I reached the final act of the movie and saw the explosive debris adorned with a bizarre flying cow image. This wasn’t what I had anticipated, but it proved to be a more endearing and arguably authentic twist than the one in “Twister.” In the original directed by Jan de Bont, a CGI cow appeared beside the windshield of the truck driven by Helen Hunt, Jami Gertz, and the late Bill Paxton. The unexpected sight made Gertz’s character pause mid-conversation on her comically oversized cellphone.

In the spiritual sequel, it was never feasible for us to send a real cow or even a VFX version of one into a cyclone. Director Chung prioritized scientific accuracy as much as possible in the movie featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos. Regarding the tornado elements, Chung explains, “We made every effort to be true to science.” However, we do incorporate elements of science fiction, such as Kate’s (Edgar-Jones) experiment involving a chemical bomb meant to tame a tornado, which is purely speculative and based on theoretical science. The experiment itself remains a work of science fiction. Yet, the formation and consequences of tornados in the film, as well as all the meteorological discussions, are reportedly quite accurate.

At the conclusion, it appears that Kate, portrayed by Edgar-Jones, in our story has found inner peace with her past traumas and is prepared to once again pursue her passion for storm chasing. The renowned director of the Oscar-nominated film “Minari,” shares his hope that this resolution will resonate with the viewers.

“According to Chung, the main message he hopes people will grasp from his work involves dealing with fear, anxiety, and trauma – topics that seem to be frequently discussed. He has experienced a great deal of fear in his professional life, including while transitioning from ‘Minari’ to this new project. Consequently, he desires for this film to convey Kate’s story of facing her fears and ultimately emerging victorious.”

Twisters, with its wink-wink cow cameo, is currently in theaters.

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2024-07-19 21:24