For nearly three decades, there was no direct sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Twister due to a combination of production hurdles, the loss of key cast members, and script development issues. A major factor was the passing of leading man Bill Paxton in 2017, which many felt made a direct continuation of the original story difficult. Additionally, the original director, Jan de Bont, expressed that the practical effects used in the first film—which involved massive jet engines and real debris—were so difficult and dangerous to film that a modern studio would likely insist on pure CGI, potentially losing the original's gritty charm. However, the "sequel" finally arrived in July 2024 titled Twisters, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell. Rather than being a traditional "Part 2," it serves as a "standalone sequel" set in the same universe but with a new cast and updated technology. Steven Spielberg, who executive produced the original, was a key driver in getting the 2024 film greenlit, ensuring that the franchise finally evolved for a new generation of disaster-movie fans after 28 years of dormancy.