Summary
DespiteTwistersbeing a sequel toTwister, no characters from the 1996 original returned, although these 10 could still return inTwisters 2.Twistersis the 2024 follow-up to the original 1996 hit, and while they do take place in the same storm-chasing universe, the legacy sequel focuses on an all-new cast of characters that has seemingly no connection to the originalTwistergang.Twistersis full ofEaster eggs and references to the originalTwister, and since the film isn’t shy about its connections to the original, the nextTwisterscould finally bring back these iconic franchise characters.
The marketing forTwistersheavily focused on the film’s all-new characters, with it clearly attempting to make icons out of cast members likeDaisy Edgar-Jones' Kate Carter, Glen Powell’s Tyler Owens, Anthony Ramos' Javi, and more. However, many fans of the 1996 original were expecting some of theTwistercast members to have surprise roles inTwisters, something that didn’t end up happening. While major actors fromTwisterlike Bill Paxton and Philip Seymour Hoffman have sadly passed away, these 10 characters could easily still be added to the nextTwisterssequel.
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10Jo Harding
Helen Hunt
The most obvious character to bring back inTwisters2is Helen Hunt’s Jo Harding. Alongside Bill Paxton’s Bill Harding,Jo Harding is the protagonist of the originalTwister, with her being the leader of the ragtag group of storm chasers after her ex-husband departed from the team. Jo Harding is the mind behind the Dorothy experiment that returns inTwisters, meaning that her presence can still be felt in the film despite her character not returning.
Although Cate and her original group of storm-chasers are shown using one of the Dorothy experiments inTwisters, it is never explained how they got Jo Harding’s work. This could perfectly be explained inTwisters 2by bringing Jo Harding back, revealing that she has some sort of connection to theTwisterscharacters. Now that Cate has fully returned to the world of storm chasing, it would make sense for her to seek out the help of a mentor like Jo Harding.
Interestingly, theoriginal plans forTwister 2were going to include Helen Hunt’s Jo Harding, meaning that the franchise clearly wasn’t done with her after the first film. However, this film would have seen Jo Harding train up a new group of chasers only for her to be killed off in the opening moments.Twisters 2could bring back this plan, allowing for a hugely emotional passing of the torch from Jo to Cate and Tyler.
9Dr. Melissa Reeves
Jami Gertz
Dr. Melissa Reeves is an interesting character in the world ofTwister, as, despite her importance to the first movie, she is rarely discussed as much as the Hardings. In the 1996 original,Jami Gertz' Dr. Melissa Reeves is the fiancée of Bill Harding, with her traveling with Bill in order to get Jo to sign the divorce papers. Melissa is an outsider to the world of storm chasing, which is why she functions as the audience surrogate inTwister, with her being introduced to this wacky world alongside the viewer.
Melissa ends her time inTwisterwell before the film ends, with her telling Bill to be with Jo after she learns that they both still have feelings for one another. Despite this, she is still an important figure in Bill Harding’s life, and this could be how she is brought back inTwisters 2. Since Bill Paxton sadly died between the releases ofTwisterandTwisters,Twisters 2could feature a funeral scene for his character, with Melissa appearing and adding even more emotion to this tragic homage.
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8Robert “Rabbit” Nurick
Alan Ruck
Robert Nurick, oftentimes simply referred to as Rabbit, isplayed by Alan Ruck in the originalTwister. Rabbit is one of the several members of Jo Harding’s storm-chasing crew, with him being one of the ones with the most personality in the film. Since appearing inTwister, theFerris Bueller’s Day Offstar has gone on to make an even bigger name for himself by playing the role of Connor Roy on the hit HBO showSuccession.
Due to Alan Ruck’s recent successes,it would make perfect sense for him to come back inTwisters 2. Not only would this add another big name to the film, but it would also be a realistic connection, as it would make sense that one of the original storm-chasers would still be around a few decades after the events of the 1996 movie.
7Tim “Beltzer” Lewis
Todd Field
Another character who could return inTwisters 2is Tim “Beltzer” Lewis, played by Todd Field. Beltzer is one of the members of Jo Harding’s storm-chasing crew, with him helping out by driving a blue 1985 Chevrolet Chevy Van.
Much like Alan Ruck,Todd Field’s career has only gotten more impressive since the release of the originalTwister. However, instead of this being due to his acting, it is actually because Todd Field has become a prominent director, with him being the filmmaker behind critically-acclaimed movies like 2022’sTár. However, it is still entirely possible that Field could return to the world of acting inTwisters 2, reprising his role as Beltzer.
6Brian Laurence
Jeremy Davies
Brian Laurence is played by Jeremy Davies in the originalTwister, and the character could alsoreturn in a potentialTwisters 2. Laurence is another member of Jo Harding’s storm-chasing team, with him specializing in tracking the statistics of each tornado. Laurence can often be heard discussing the wind speeds or the classification of each storm, making him a key member of the team.
Much like Laurence,Twistersprotagonist Kate Carter is more into the statistics and science behind tornadoesrather than the thrill of the chase. Because of this, she could share a connection with Laurence if he is to return inTwisters 2, setting up an interesting potential storyline.
5Allan Sanders
Sean Whalen
Allan Sanders is anotherTwistercharacter who could potentially return inTwisters 2, with the character being played by Sean Whalen. Although Sanders isn’t given a lot of focus in the originalTwister, the character is often seen hanging out with Rabbit. Thus, if Alan Ruck returns inTwisters 2, it would only make sense for Sanders to return as well, with it being possible that the two continued to work together after the events of the original film.
Allan Sanders has continued acting in the years since appearing inTwister,with him working on projects likeAmerican PickleandSuperstore. Because of this, it is likely thatTwisters 2wouldn’t have a problem getting the actor to return, bringing back another one of the original movie’s characters.
4Jason “Preacher” Rowe
Scott Thomson
Jason “Preacher” Rowe is another character from the originalTwister, with him being played by actor Scott Thomson. As a member of Jo Harding’s storm-chasing team, Preacher can be seen driving one of the various vehicles while also performing a variety of other tasks.
Although actor Scott Thomson hasn’t been acting as much in recent years as some of his otherTwisterco-stars,it would still be nice to see him reprise his role in a sequel toTwisters. Getting back as much of the gang as possible would be a fun surprise for a potential follow-up, and the film shouldn’t skip over Preacher just because he wasn’t one of the main characters inTwister.
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3Joey
Joey Slotnick
Joey is another member of Jo Harding’s storm-chasing team in the 1996 originalTwister, meaning thatTwisters 2should attempt to find a place for him to return if the sequel wants to finally bring back characters from the first film. Joey is another one of the tech-focused characters on the team, meaning that he could be seen using some of the more advanced storm-chasing equipment that has been developed since the original film if hereturns inTwisters 2.
Twisterwas one of the earliest movie roles in Joey Slotnick’s career, with him appearing in a lot of more recent films like 2019’sThe Goldfinch, 2023’sPlane, and 2024’sDrive Away Dolls. Thus, it is likely that he would return inTwisters 2if given the opportunity.
2Willie
Gregory Sporleder
Willie, played by Gregory Sporleder, would be another interesting character thatTwisters 2could bring back from the original movie, although for a different reason. InTwister, Willie was a member of the team of storm-chasing antagonists. Unfortunately,the film’s main antagonist, Cary Elwes' Jonas Miller, died at the end of the first film, meaning that he can’t come back for a sequel.
However, bringing Willie back would be a way forTwisters 2to reflect on the dangers of storm chasing. Despite Willie being one of the antagonists, he can bond with Kate over the fact that they both lost their teams in the past, adding a unique twist to this minor villain.
1Aunt Meg
Lois Smith
One of the most interesting and most surprising characters thatTwisters 2could bring back is Aunt Meg. In thecast of the originalTwister, Aunt Meg is the aunt of Jo Harding, with her storm-chasing team going over to Aunt Meg’s house for dinner while meeting about a storm.
Despite being 93 years old,Lois Smith is still acting, with her having appeared in recent movies likeThe French Dispatchas well as still acting in theater. Because of this, Aunt Meg could come back in a potentialTwisterssequel, with Jo Harding and Kate’s new team of storm-chasers repeating this meal scene from the original movie.
Twisters
Cast
A follow-up to the 1996 original film Twister, Twisters is a sequel set years after the original, said to be fast-tracked by Steven Spielberg and Mark L. Smith, with Frank Marshal as producer. Little details exist about the film, but Helen Hunt is expected to reprise her role as Jo, with the film likely to pay homage to the late Bill Paxton.
