The highly anticipated disaster movie Twisters is set to storm into theaters, promising audiences a thrilling spectacle of nature’s fury unleashed across Oklahoma. Starring Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, the film follows their characters as they navigate the heart of tornado alley. Fans are naturally curious about the authenticity of the backdrop and are asking: where was the movie Twister filmed? Interestingly, much like the on-screen storms, the filming locations for Twisters were rooted in reality, primarily in the very state where the story unfolds – Oklahoma. While Hollywood productions often utilize sound stages and diverse locations, Twisters aimed for authenticity by capturing the essence of Oklahoma, even amidst real-life weather challenges.
Discovering the Filming Locations of Twisters (2024)
While some interior scenes and studio work were predictably completed in Los Angeles, the heart of Twisters‘ production beat in Oklahoma. The production team, led by director Lee Isaac Chung, deliberately chose Oklahoma to serve as the primary canvas for their cinematic storm. Across the state, numerous towns and cities became backdrops for the movie’s intense sequences.
Downtown Oklahoma City was a prominent filming location, injecting the urban landscape into the tornado narrative. Beyond the capital, the production ventured into various other Oklahoma locales, each adding a layer of authenticity to the film’s setting. These locations included:
- Chickasha: This city in Grady County offered small-town America settings for the film.
- El Reno: Located in Canadian County, El Reno provided further Oklahoma landscapes.
- Okarche: Spanning Kingfisher and Canadian counties, Okarche contributed to the rural Oklahoma feel.
- Midwest City: Situated in Oklahoma County, Midwest City added suburban textures to the movie’s environment.
- Yukon: Also in Canadian County, Yukon offered more diverse scenery within the Oklahoma context.
- Cashion: Sharing Kingfisher and Logan counties, Cashion completed the array of Oklahoma towns featured.
Principal photography commenced in Oklahoma City in May 2023, immersing the production directly into the state’s tornado season. Filming faced an unexpected interruption in July due to the Screen Actors Guild strike, but the cameras rolled again in November, successfully wrapping up before the year concluded. Director Lee Isaac Chung, despite acknowledging the logistical challenges of filming during tornado season, emphasized the importance of capturing the genuine atmosphere of Oklahoma. His personal connection to tornado alley, growing up in Arkansas, fueled his determination to film in the heart of the action.
Echoes of the Original: Filming Twister (1996) in Oklahoma
Interestingly, the 1996 blockbuster Twister, starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, also prioritized Oklahoma as its filming location. Director Jan de Bont shared a similar vision of grounding the movie in the authentic environment of tornado alley. However, de Bont encountered a contrasting weather predicament compared to the Twisters production. While Twisters crew grappled with unpredictable storms, the original Twister faced unusually calm weather in Oklahoma.
This unexpected serenity presented a unique challenge. The film required dramatic, stormy skies to amplify the tornado sequences. To overcome this, de Bont ingeniously filmed scenes with dark, ominous skies in other states experiencing more turbulent weather. For close-ups of the actors, bright lights were employed to create a stark contrast, making the skies behind them appear darker and more menacing on screen. This technique, while effective, reportedly caused temporary vision issues for stars Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt due to the intense lighting.
Despite the contrasting weather-related hurdles, both Twister movies share a common thread: their commitment to filming in Oklahoma. This decision underscores the significance of authentic locations in bringing the story of tornadoes in the American heartland to life. Twisters is scheduled to hit theaters on July 19, inviting audiences to witness the storm – and the landscapes of Oklahoma – on the big screen.
