Key Takeaways:
– Jan de Bont, director of Twister, had a difficult working relationship with his crew that resulted in several walk-outs.
– Legendary producer Steven Spielberg had a heated confrontation with de Bont, publicly reprimanding him at an airport.
– Despite the on-set drama, Twister was a success, earning over $80 million at its opening.
– Jack N. Green, who stepped in as cinematographer after Don Burgess left, later reunited with de Bont for Speed 2: Cruise Control.
Back in 1996, the movie Twister created waves in cinemas. Yes, the spectacular portrayal of tornadoes was remarkable, but there's more to the story, notably director Jan de Bont's stormy relationship with the crew.
Trouble from the Start with Jan de Bont
From the start, Twister appeared to be a difficult shoot. Jan de Bont, the director who previously impressed with 1994's Speed, was to blame. It's said that de Bont pushed a camera crew assistant into a ditch without showing remorse. This led to the cinematographer, Don Burgess, taking his crew and calling it quits. That wasn't the end though; several other teams walked out too. That's when Steven Spielberg, the movie's producer, had to step in.
Spielberg's Airport Confrontation
Here's the interesting fact, Spielberg didn't end up visiting the set to resolve things. He chose a unique way of confrontation. Spielberg allegedly gave de Bont a hefty piece of his mind at the airport. As described by stunt coordinator Mic Rodgers, Spielberg didn't even step off his plane, but he gave de Bont a solid verbal lashing, pointing his finger and yelling at him for a good 15 minutes before returning to his plane. That's one way to lay down the law!
Turning the Tide with Jack N. Green
Production went back on track after this incident, with Jack N. Green replacing Burgess as the cinematographer. Now, this wasn't exactly a stroll in the park either. Green got injured when a hydraulic house top collapsed on him. However, that wasn't the endgame for Green and de Bont's partnership. They ended up working together again for Speed 2: Cruise Control the following year.
Twister: A Silver Lining of Success
Despite the storm of challenges faced during production, Twister was a smashing success. It blew away both critics and audiences, earning a whopping $80+ million at the opening. Even with a director that could be compared to an F5 tornado, the film proved to be a hit. So, if you're planning to revisit this 1996 classic, just remember to appreciate everything that went on behind the scenes!
Post-script: How Do You Remember Twister?
Alright folks, what do you remember about watching Twister for the first time? And if you've seen this year's follow-up, what are your thoughts? Remember, it's not always smooth sailing in the world of movie production but often, the turbulence can lead to cinematic gems.
Remember, we're all about diving into the heart of movie news at Project Casting. So, stay tuned, and let's keep the conversation going in the comments! Until next time, let's keep the popcorn popping and the projectors rolling.
