Twisters Stars on How They Prepped for the Disaster Movie’s Most Harrowing Scenes

Twisters Stars on How They Prepped for the Disaster Movie's Most Harrowing Scenes

As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast, I’ve seen my fair share of blockbusters that transport us to thrilling worlds filled with action, drama, and suspense. The trailers for “Twisters” starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos, and Glen Powell looked absolutely exhilarating, making me excitedly imagine the fun they must have had while filming in Oklahoma during the summer of 2023. However, I also know that creating a big summer blockbuster is no small feat – there’s immense pressure on the actors to deliver the scares, stakes, action, and character chemistry while battling against wind machines and other challenges.


As a weather enthusiast who has spent my entire life chasing storms across the Midwest, I can only imagine the thrill and excitement Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos, and Glen Powell must have felt while filming “Twisters” in the sweltering heat of an Oklahoma summer in 2023. Judging from the trailers, it looks like they had a blast running from faux storms, diving into tornadoes, and experiencing the raw power of nature up close. Their energy and enthusiasm are palpable on screen, making me eager to witness their journey when the movie is released. I can’t wait to see how they bring this thrilling adventure to life!

Making a summer blockbuster involves a great deal of pressure. The success of the film hinges on the actors delivering convincing scares, action sequences, and compelling character interactions, all while dealing with challenging conditions like powerful wind machines.

To prepare for the July 19 theater premiere of “Twisters,” NBC Insider interviewed the film’s cast about which scene in Lee Isaac Chung’s follow-up to “Twister” (1996) made them feel the most anxious prior to filming.

Anthony Ramos didn’t know freezing weather would be part of the filming

Twisters Stars on How They Prepped for the Disaster Movie's Most Harrowing Scenes

In the movie “Twisters,” Anthony Ramos portrays Javi, a prior workmate of Kate Cooper (Edgar-Jones) and now heads a privately funded storm investigation team. With roles in high-profile films like “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” and “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” Ramos is no stranger to delivering spectacle. However, filming for “Twisters” encountered an unexpected chill, making it challenging for Ramas to speak clearly without his teeth chattering.

In the chilling scene from “Twisters” that Ramos found most challenging, he recalled, “It was enduring the freezing night while filming a particular scene with Daisy. The two of us were utterly frigid, making it extremely hard to act. Our speech was barely audible.”

I remember during filming, we had to deal with foggy breaths, so they made us hold ice cubes and spit them out just before shooting to minimize condensation while speaking. It added an exciting touch to the experience! And let me tell you, focusing on our lines amidst those chilly conditions during emotionally charged scenes was quite a challenge.

The Water Park Ride No One Expected

Twisters Stars on How They Prepped for the Disaster Movie's Most Harrowing Scenes

Daisy Edgar-Jones from “Normal People” found it novel and exhilarating to film intense scenes like being caught in a storm for movies such as “Twisters.” Her firsthand encounter with the chaos resulted in a fresh and authentic experience.

She shared that she hadn’t attempted stunts or large-scale scenes like that before. “A massive F5 tornado was approaching, and suddenly something struck a water tower which collapsed on us,” she described. “We needed to simulate being swept away by the torrential water.”

She recalled the three of us standing in the street, gazing at the water tank and simultaneously counting down, for an enormous amount of water was being discharged. I gaped in amazement as a massive wave formed and prepared to engulf us. That moment was thrilling.

Glen Powell’s “Don’t Mess It Up!” Moment

Twisters Stars on How They Prepped for the Disaster Movie's Most Harrowing Scenes

Though Tyler Owens, played by Glen Powell, seems fearless on screen, the actor shared that he harbored concerns about delivering a top-notch performance to ensure everyone else’s efforts remained unscathed during post-production.

He described a day when the weight of the situation became real to him, which was during a scene set in Crystal Springs town after a major disaster occurred. The production team had put great effort into creating an accurate portrayal of a community struck by tornadoes.

He explained that some houses remain intact while others are severely damaged, with some even completely destroyed. Impressive as it was, the set featured only a few scenes. There were merely two brief sequences filmed there. I felt immense pressure, thinking if we botched these scenes amidst all the intricate work put into creating this set, the filmmakers might hold me responsible forever.

Check out Twisters in theaters on July 19. Click here to pick up tickets.

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2024-07-19 19:01