Extraordinary episode from the making of the 1996 blockbuster “Twister,” filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s intervention became the stuff of legend. Despite opting out of directing, Spielberg played a crucial role in the film’s production, especially when things went awry on set.
According to Mic Rodgers, the film’s stunt coordinator, Spielberg’s concern about the troubled production prompted him to fly from Hollywood to Norman, Oklahoma. There, Spielberg landed his private jet and, in a dramatic display, reportedly never even set foot on the ground. Instead, he unleashed a tirade at director Jan de Bont from the jet’s ramp, “f**king yelling” and pointing his finger, as recounted by Rodgers in a recent interview with The Independent.
The tension on the “Twister” set had escalated significantly. Known for his previous hit “Speed” (1994), de Bont’s directorial style was coming under scrutiny. The situation reached a boiling point when de Bont allegedly pushed a camera assistant and refused to apologize, leading to a mass walkout by the camera, sound, and wardrobe departments.
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Spielberg’s intervention, although not detailed in exact terms, seemed to have a profound effect. Rodgers noted that Spielberg’s visit lasted only about 15 minutes, with the filmmaker reboarding his plane without even stepping onto the set. The plane then departed, marking an intense but brief confrontation.
The production itself was plagued with issues. Actors and crew faced numerous accidents, including Helen Hunt being concussed by a car door and cinematographer Jack Green being hospitalized due to a set collapse. Hunt, who suffered significant eye damage due to overly intense lighting, described the experience as disorienting, saying she couldn’t see properly for days.
In response to these incidents, de Bont’s comments seemed dismissive. He downplayed Hunt’s injuries, suggesting they were minor compared to the production’s broader challenges. Hunt, in turn, expressed frustration at the lack of acknowledgment for her suffering.
Despite these behind-the-scenes dramas, “Twister” eventually emerged as a quintessential 1990s disaster film, enjoying lasting popularity and paving the way for the recent sequel, “Twisters.” Directed by Lee Isaac Chung and released to critical and commercial success, the sequel benefited from Spielberg’s advice on its ending, although he did not need to make a dramatic visit this time around.
