The upcoming disaster movie Twisters is set to bring the power of tornadoes back to the big screen.
Director Lee Isaac Chung, known for directing the critically acclaimed film “Minari,” is at the helm of this project.
As revealed by star Glen Powell, this will not be a sequel to the 1996 hit ‘Twister’ but rather a remake with a fresh story.
And guess what? You can now embark on your own cinematic adventure by visiting the actual filming locations!
Where was Twisters filmed?
The 2024 disaster movie Twisters was filmed on location in several Oklahoma towns and Los Angeles. The rural landscapes and open fields of central Oklahoma provide an authentic backdrop for the tornadoes.
Production team shot interior scenes at the Prairie Surf Studios in Oklahoma City across 40 days in May 2023. Additional shooting took place in the Oklahoma City metro area, lasted 50 days.
Filming was temporarily suspended for five months in 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, and was resumed when the labor dispute resolved in November 2023. The movie ultimately wrapped production in December 2023.
Other towns and cities used as filming spots included Chickasha, Okarche, Pond Creek Hobart, Yukon, El Reno, Spencer, Pound Creek and Cashion. The picturesque landscapes across the state doubled for tornado alley on screen.
Let’s have a closer look at each filming location of Twisters.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
As the bustling state capital and largest city in Oklahoma, Oklahoma City provided an ideal urban backdrop for early shooting from May to June 2023. Locations included the Bricktown entertainment district, Midtown, and Stockyards City.
Behind the scenes photos from the set show destroyed city streets and overturned vehicles, hinting at possible tornado destruction sequences shot here.
The production took advantage of the mix of Art Deco high-rises and modern skyscrapers throughout downtown Oklahoma City to highlight the raw destructive power of tornadoes loose in a metropolitan area.
Key spots used during the over 50 days of filming in the OKC metro area included the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Oklahoma City National Memorial, and the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Several scenes shot on city streets required temporarily shutting down roads and setting up artificial rain towers to simulate stormy tornado weather.
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Prairie Surf Studios, 1 Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma
The production set up shop for over 40 days at this Oklahoma City studio facility equipped with sound stages perfect for interior shoots.
Photos show green screen cyclones being created, indicating this is likely where many of the actual tornado visual effect scenes were filmed on the Prairie Surf backlots and sound stages.
The studio’s recent expansion to over 150,000 square feet of space allowed the construction of large-scale house and storefront sets recreating rural and suburban communities.
These sets were promptly destroyed by an EF5 tornado prop and powerful wind machines during filming.
Information from IMDb suggests that Hobart and Pond Creek in Oklahoma also played a role in filming Twisters 2024 for second unit photography.
These charming towns, located southwest of Oklahoma City, offer unique backdrops that likely added depth and variety to the film’s visual narrative.
Hobart
Known as the “Queen City of the Salt Plains,” boasts a rich history and scenic beauty. The town’s historic downtown area, featuring art deco architecture and brick storefronts have served as a setting for scenes depicting everyday life or even the aftermath of a storm.
Pond Creek
The town’s proximity to Kaw Lake, the state’s second-largest reservoir, makes it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s possible that the film’s crew utilized the lake’s scenic beauty or even the surrounding countryside to film specific sequences.
While details about the specific scenes filmed in Hobart and Pond Creek are yet to be revealed, it’s safe to assume that these locations played a role in enriching the film’s visual narrative and offering a glimpse into the diverse landscapes of Oklahoma.
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Other Small Towns in Oklahoma
To capture tornado destruction across Oklahoma, shooting also headed to small towns and rural areas around Oklahoma City from July to December 2023.
Behind-the-scenes videos reveal entire buildings being crushed by an EF5 tornado prop and winds reaching over 200 mph generated on location.
Towns used included Chickasha, home to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, where campus building demolition scenes were shot.
The production shot for two weeks in Cashion offering a country landscape perfect for an EF5 tornado tearing through a rural farming area.
Okarche was used for scenes showcasing the power of tornado winds, fitting due to its title of Oklahoma’s official ‘Home of the Wind.’
The overpass located on State Highway 51, was used as a shooting location, not a popular tourist destination.
Additional rural farm sites were shot near Spencer and El Reno, with the latter town possessing the infamous title of tornado capital of the world.
Lake Thunderbird State Park
A 20-mile drive from central Oklahoma City provided access to the scenic Lake Thunderbird State Park.
Shoot photos show a large water spout tornado generated using mechanical fans and practical effects with tons of debris thrown in high winds across the lake.
This location allowed the production to break from standard tornado settings to showcase the destructive power of water spouts capable of destroying lakeside homes and buildings.
Several boat chase sequences pitting the heroes against a raging EF4 waterspout were also shot on Lake Thunderbird.
El Reno and Union City, USA
The historic town of El Reno, unfortunately famous for holding the record for the widest ever recorded tornado back in 2013, served as a filming site from October to November 2023.
The town and surrounding rural farmland provided ideal shots showing the aftermath of a devastating EF5 tornado.
Meanwhile, footage from Union City, another small rural Oklahoma town 50 miles outside Oklahoma City, captures powerful wind machines generating 200 mph gusts that demolished entire mock city blocks.
This is likely where some of the most intense EF5 destruction was filmed showcasing winds exceeding over 200 mph.
Conclusion Despite delays from the summer 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, principal photography wrapped by December 2023 in time for Twisters 2024’s tentative summer 2024 release.
Navigating both urban and rural locations, the film promises to showcase the raw spectacle and destruction that only Oklahoma tornadoes can provide.
Los Angeles, California
While Oklahoma provided the film’s core setting, Los Angeles also played a part in the filming process.
Although specific details about filming locations in LA remain under wraps, it’s safe to assume that the city’s iconic studios and diverse backdrops might have been utilized for specific scenes or additional production needs.
Beyond the Locations
While the filming locations offer a glimpse into the world of Twisters, remember that the movie is a work of fiction. The actual intensity and destructive nature of tornadoes cannot be replicated for entertainment purposes.
Consider visiting reputable scientific organizations and weather websites to learn how to stay safe during cyclones.
Who’s in the cast of Twisters?
Twisters movie cast includes:
- Katy O’Brian as (as Katy M. O’Brian)
- Glen Powell as Tyler Owens
- Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kate Cooper
- Maura Tierney
- David Corenswet
- Anthony Ramos
- Sasha Lane
- Daryl McCormack
- Brandon Perea
- Harry Hadden-Paton
- Kiernan Shipka
- Manini Gupta as Shanty
- Samantha Ireland as Mother
- Nik Dodani
- Stephen Oyoung
- Tunde Adebimpe
- David Born
- Austin Brooks
- Jobie James as Storm Chaser
- Wes Davis as Storm Chaser
- Conner Tune as Storm Chasing Tour Guide
- Anthony M. Cieri as Rodeo Fan
- Braydon Clues as Pedestrian
- Cody Pennington as Rodeo vendor (credit only)
- David C Tam as Cab Driver
- Chelsey Davis as The Wounded Six
- Jennifer Brindley as Storm Chaser
- Bob Pack as Storm Chaser
- Curtis D. Tucker as Search & Rescue
- James Menzies as Storm Chaser
- Bryan Taronn Jones as The Wounded Six
- Brian Winslow as KFOR-TV News 4 Storm Tracker
- Scott Downs as NYC Coffee Shop Patron and Rodeo Fan
- Nicholas Smith as Storm Chaser KOCO News Channel 5
Official trailer
The first official trailer for “Twisters” was released during Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024. You can find it online to get a glimpse of the film’s plot and characters.
Twisters Release Date
The highly anticipated sequel to the 1996 film “Twister” is set to hit theaters on July 19, 2024. This means you only have to wait a few more months to witness the return of these powerful storms on the big screen.
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