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Sandra Bullock almost quit acting after facing Hollywood sexism (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

Picture this: Sandra Bullock, a bona fide icon, almost walked away from Hollywood. Yup, the Ocean’s 8-star was ready to bounce, thanks to the hardcore sexism she faced in the industry. Fast forward to 2018, and she’s headlining a major all-female heist flick, but getting to this point? It wasn’t a straight line.

Bullock’s big break came in Speed (1994), thanks to director Jan de Bont, but get this—she wasn’t the studio’s first pick. She was the “last person they wanted.” No joke. But Bullock didn’t let that stop her. With a string of lucky breaks and her mom’s empowering “you don’t need to get married, you make your path” wisdom, she dove into Hollywood with the mindset that she could do whatever a guy could do.

But then came the reality check.

When Speed 2: Cruise Control arrived in theaters in 1997, most audiences and critics steered clear of giving it any positive acclaim. The film, directed by Jan de Bont, received a dismal 4% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the least-loved sequels of its time. Gone were the high-stakes thrills of a runaway bus hurtling through the streets of Los Angeles. Instead, the setting shifted to a cruise liner, a sprawling but somewhat less high-octane environment that many felt lacked the pulse-pounding urgency of the original film. While this change disappointed most viewers, one notable critic took a refreshingly unconventional approach in praising the film—none other than Roger Ebert, who gave it an almost affectionate review.

In Speed 2, Sandra Bullock returns as Annie, now in a new relationship with LAPD Swat officer Alex (Jason Patric). While on a tropical cruise together, they face the unexpected threat of a vengeful villain,...

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock can easily be two of the most bankable actors in the Hollywood business, with several well-acclaimed movies. But other than that, they also share a very beautiful, decades-long friendship. The duo crossed each other’s paths while working on the 1994 release Speed and have been friends ever since.

They also collaborated for a second time in the 2006 movie The Lake House, and fans wondered if there was something more to this friendship. Not so surprisingly, their camaraderie could have turned into something more in the midst of the movie, but the timing was just not right.

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in The Lake House | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

So, they focused on being friends instead and are now, after several years, closer than ever. In this article, we will take a deeper look at the movies that they starred in together and what they...

The action classic Speed celebrated its 30th anniversary this year – and this might also be the year when a Speed 3 finally starts to get rolling toward production. Directed by Jan de Bont, the original film starred Keanu Reeves as LAPD Swat officer Jack Traven and Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter, an LA resident unlucky enough to be a passenger that a terrorist has planted a bomb on. Jack and Annie fell in love while dealing with that situation… but when Speed 2: Cruise Control came along three years later, Reeves did not return to the action alongside Bullock and de Bont. Instead, when Annie gets mixed up in another terrorist situation while on a cruise ship, she had a different man by her side: LAPD officer Alex Shaw, played by Jason Patric. Reeves skipped Speed 2: Cruise Control because he wasn’t satisfied with the script; which turned out to be a good call,...

Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves face the ultimate test for Speed 3! Last time, they zoomed through chaotic streets and faced some seriously explosive challenges, reminding us why their on-screen chemistry’s still fire.

Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves in spee | Credits: Mark Gordon Company

The stakes? Sky-high! They juggled personal sacrifices that had us on the very edge of our seats. With every twist and turn, they showed us that even legends can be pushed to their limits.

Buckle Up: Speed 3 Hints Ignite Fans’ Hopes for a Thrilling Comeback Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves in spee | Credits: Mark Gordon Company

Fans of Speed have reason to celebrate! Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves hinted at a thrilling return to the franchise, contingent on Hollywood’s enthusiasm and audience demand.

Their announcement at the film’s 30th anniversary screening caught the attention of 20th Century Studios, whose president, Steve Asbell, responded enthusiastically.

Film executive Steve Asbell has revealed a third ‘Speed’ movie is not out of the question.Fans of the 1994 action flick - which starred Keanu Reeves, 60, and Sandra Bullock, also 60 - have been patiently waiting for another instalment in the series after the disappointing 1997 sequel ‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’, and now the 20th Century Studios boss has insisted a third film is possible, but only if they find an idea that "excites" the two actors. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Asbell said of ‘Speed’: "It is one of those last movies that we haven’t remade. And to really be a reason to come back, it’s got to be a great idea and an idea that excites [Reeves and Bullock]. "Because that’d be the reason to see it. It’s obviously a really important title for us, but it’s not something we would handle lightly or...

Horror, martial arts, sci-fi and more – here’s our pick of 35 genre films you can watch for free on Tubi.

Like any streaming service, particularly of the ad-supported variety, there’s a lot of filler on Tubi, the subscription-free platform which recently made its debut in the UK.

On there you’ll find an array of low-budget documentaries of spurious quality, landfill reality TV and how-did-this-get-made TV movies (Amish Abduction).

Do a bit of digging, though, and you’ll find plenty of movies that are genuinely worth watching, including the work of such respected directors as Michael Mann (Ali), Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), David Fincher (Gone Girl) and Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel).

Look beyond even those worthy films, and Tubi is positively stuffed with genre and cult offerings – sci-fi, horror, comedy, martial arts, thrillers and more besides. Finding these can take a bit of hunting around, however, so...

Sandra Bullock is one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood, and any movie with her name included in its cast can be blindly considered a hit. Well… let’s say not all of them. Either way, Bullock has racked up millions over the years acting in projects like Bird Box, The Blind Side, Miss Congeniality, and many more.

Sandra Bullock in Gravity | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

Despite living at the peak of the mountain of success, Bullock’s run has had a couple of nasty bumps that nearly took her out of the game. Having spent over 30 years in the industry, the Gravity actress was bound to star in a couple of movies that didn’t find much success among fans or critics and there is one film she absolutely regrets saying yes to.

Sandra Bullock regrets doing Speed 2: Cruise Control Sandra Bullock and Jason Patric in Speed 2...

After sucking in over $370 million at the worldwide box office, Universal Pictures’ Twisters has been set to stream exclusively on Peacock beginning November 15.

Marking the sequel to Jan de Bont’s classic 1996 disaster pic, Twister, Twisters teamed lauded Minari helmer Lee Isaac Chung with stars Daisy Edgar-Jones (Where the Crawdads Sing) and Glen Powell (Hit Man).

The story follows Kate (Edgar-Jones), who ever since a devastating tornado encounter, has given up chasing storms across the Oklahoma prairie to safely study them on screens in New York City. Lured back to the field by her friend Javi (Anthony Ramos) and a once-in-a-lifetime scientific opportunity, Kate crosses paths with Tyler (Powell), a charming daredevil and self-proclaimed tornado wrangler whose thirst for tornado-tracking adventures made him a social media sensation. As storm season intensifies with terrifying phenomena unlike anything seen before, Kate and Tyler realize they may need to work together if they...

Back in 1994, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock came together to deliver one of the most thrilling action flicks of all time, Speed. Shot almost entirely on a bus, the movie grasps your attention right from the get-go, making sure your eyes are always on the screen, no matter what. The movie was very well-received by both critics and fans and is still considered one of the best additions to the genre. It eventually gave birth to a sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control, but we don’t talk about that.

Speed (1994) | Credits: 20th Century Fox

Recently, Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and director Jan de Bont were reunited for the thirtieth anniversary of the movie and their reunion resulted in many revelations from the past. At one point, Sandra Bullock credited Keanu Reeves for helping her maintain her dignity on set when the action sequences prompted wardrobe malfunctions.

Keanu Reeves Reveals the...

Keanu Reeves has been an absolute favorite of many film critics and audiences. His career has been very interesting since this actor has been open to starring in almost any genre. However, he has been mostly known for his action-driven films. For example, a lot of action movie lovers recognize him for the Matrix films and John Wick series. What they don’t know is how he has struggled in his personal life as well as experimented with other genres.

Reeves was born on September 2nd, 1964, in Beirut, Lebanon. He was raised in Toronto, Canada. He is of Chinese-Hawaiian descent from his father’s side. His father was a geologist. Reeves had a mother that worked in the industry as a performer and later designed costumes. His parents divorced nonetheless. He ended up residing with his mother and sister. As he got older, he developed a keen interest in acting.

Sandra Bullock's name above the title has meant mega-bucks for movie studios over the last 37 years. Combined, her movies have grossed billions of dollars at the global box office, making her one of the most bankable stars of her generation. She's done it by mostly exhibiting good taste in material and, of course, being her irresistibly bubbly self. Everyone, it seems, loves Sandy.

Bullock has a lot to be proud of (most notably the Best Actress Oscar she won for 2009's "The Blind Side"), but when it comes to her bombs, she'll be the first to tell you how lousy they are. She's earned the right to dish on disappointments like "All About Steve," "Two If By Sea" and, dear god, George Sluizer's Hollywoodized remake of his masterful Dutch thriller "The Vanishing." Hang around long enough in the film industry, and you're bound to appear in a stinker or two.

In the three decades since they made the action classic “Speed,” director Jan de Bont and actors Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock have never gotten together in public to talk about it — until now. To celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary, de Bont, Reeves, and Bullock participated in a live discussion at the American Cinematheque’s Beyond Fest in front of a sold-out crowd at Hollywood’s historic Egyptian Theatre. The conversation covered “Speed” from casting through post-production, with de Bont, Reeves, and Bullock providing plenty of memorable anecdotes about the filmmaking process and how the movie’s success changed their lives.

During the Q&a, which is now available in its entirety as an episode of IndieWire’s Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, de Bont reflected on the film’s famous set pieces, including the stunt where the bus, in which most of the action takes place, jumps across a missing section of L.

Before Sandra Bullock became one of the highest-paid actresses and one of the most revered ones in Hollywood, she was a struggling performer who had featured in TV films and independent films. The actress got her big breakthrough when she starred in Speed along with Keanu Reeves, which went on to earn $350 million against a $37 million budget.

The action film is best known for its bus stunt sequences and edge-of-the-seat thrilling scenes. The film, along with Point Break, established him as an action hero. While Bullock became a huge star after the film, she joked that she was only chosen because if she died while filming, it would not be a huge headline because she was not a big actor.

Sandra Bullock On Why She Was Cast In Speed Along With Keanu Reeves Sandra Bullock in Speed | Credits: 20th Century Fox

Sandra Bullock is one of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood now.

Although the 1994 blockbuster Speed was filled with meticulously planned stunts, one scene felt a little too real for its stars.

Marking the Jan de Bont action flick’s 30th anniversary, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock reunited with the director on Tuesday at Beyond Fest, where the actors recalled being “a little under-informed” about where the bus was steering.

“Don’t you remember that day on the bus, though?” Reeves asked, according to IndieWire. “When we were crashing through all the cars on the street? I remember we were a little under-informed. We were all on the bus and then we were driving down by San Diego or something. We were set by the ocean, and all of a sudden, we’re actually hitting cars. Boom! Boom! Everyone on their bus lost their mind. People were screaming.”

Although she noted that she “did get my Santa Monica bus driver’s license,...

Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves shared the stage at American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre with director Jan de Bont to participate in a Q&a following a 30th-anniversary screening of their movie Speed.

The actors and filmmaker appeared at Beyond Fest to reminisce about filming the 1994 thriller.

Uniting for the first time to discuss their work on Speed, the trio made their way to the stage after the memorable screening of the film concluded—impressed that all 516 seats in the theater were occupied.

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“We knew we were doing something wacky,” Reeves, who played Officer Jack, said to the crowd.

“I was behind the wheel of a projectile, so I was just happy to be alive at the end of the day,” joked Bullock, who played Annie Porter. “I mean, I was new to the whole game,...

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock caused a bit of a stir during the production of their iconic 1994 action film “Speed” — and it wasn’t because of their shared star power.

During a Beyond Fest 2024 panel moderated by IndieWire editor Jim Hemphill, both actors reflected on how maneuvering one of the buses used in the film led to real car accidents. Jan de Bont’s blockbuster recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

“Don’t you remember that day on the bus, though?” Reeves asked Bullock onstage. “When we were crashing through all the cars on the street? I remember we were a little under-informed. We were all on the bus and then we were driving down by San Diego or something. We were set by the ocean, and all of a sudden, we’re actually hitting cars. Boom! Boom!”

Reeves continued, “Everyone on their bus lost their mind. People were screaming.”

Co-star...

Sandra Bullock doesn’t think the movie industry is "brave enough" to make a third ‘Speed’ film.The 60-year-old actress starred opposite Keanu Reeves in the 1994 action flick - as well as returning with Jason Patric for its derided sequel ‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ - though has now admitted the chances of director Jan de Bont being given the opportunity to helm another bombastic instalment in the series are slim-to-none.Appearing alongside Reeves and de Bont at a Q+A session during a 30th-anniversary screening of the movie, Bullock said: "The geriatric version. It won’t be fast. "All these things happened because the crazy man [de Bont] in the greenish jacket over there. He’s so soft and gentle today and I’m like, ‘That’s not the man I remember.’ But he’s the man who put the energy and the idea together, knew what the audience wanted and demanded...

Earlier this summer, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock would reunite for an interview on the 50 Mph podcast, where they were asked the inevitable question of whether there will be a Speed 3. Reeves would show his confidence that he and Bullock could do it when he said, “I mean, you know — we’d freakin’ knock it out of the park.” Bullock noted that their chemistry is too good to let go to waste, “Before I die, before I leave this planet, I do think that Keanu and I need to do something in front of the camera. Are we, you know, in wheelchairs or with walkers? Maybe. Are we on little scooters at Disneyland?” Reeves added, “It does feel like there is a siren call to it, like there’s something that wasn’t done. I would love to work with you again before our eyes close.“

According to The Hollywood Reporter,...

Beyond Fest hit overdrive Tuesday night with an electric anniversary screening of Jan de Bont’s iconic blockbuster Speed followed by an epic 50-minute Q&a with the filmmaker and his stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in a reunion 30 years in the making.

It was clear long before showtime that the event — part of the American Cinematheque at Egyptian Theatre series — would be special. Reeves, Bullock and de Bont had never previously shared the same stage to discuss their work on the 1994 film, which became a surprise hit after it grossed north of $350 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. It’s been more than a decade since Reeves and Bullock had a public outing together though they often have nice things to say about one another on talk shows or in magazines.

It was also a rare night out for Bullock who has kept a low profile since the...

The American Society of Cinematographers is training its career-honor lens on Andrzej Bartkowiak, who will receive the group’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. The longtime Sidney Lumet collaborator will be feted February 23 during 39th annual ASC Awards at the Beverly Hilton.

ASC also said today that Michael Goi, Joan Churchill, John Simmons and Pete Romano are set for other career honors.

Known for his evocative visual style, Bartkowiak’s taut camera work drove Jan de Bont’s smash 1994 actioner Speed starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. His breakthrough film was the gritty 1981 thriller Prince of the City, which marked his first teaming with Lumet. Bartkowiak shot 11 of Lumet’s films over the next dozen years, including Deathtrap, The Verdict, Daniel, Family Business and A Stranger Among Us.

His lensing credits also include Best Picture Oscar nominees Terms of Endearment and Prizzi’s Honor, along with The Mirror Has Two Faces, Dante’s Peak,...

Have you ever found yourself rooting for the underdog, then rejoicing as they thumb their noses at fate and come out on top? Well, Sandra Bullock in Speed is a prime example of why the phrase “when one door closes, another opens” is gospel truth. Rejected initially yet taking on a pivotal role that redefined her career, this actress, 60, dealt with the Speed snub in a way that would make even the steely-eyed Clint Eastwood grin.

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed | Credit: 20th Century Fox

As absurdly simple as the plot sounds, this Jan de Bont-directed gem didn’t just sneak into the 1994 summer blockbusters; it snowballed into the crowd-pleaser of the year. Bullock once candidly discussed her career struggles, showing that she doesn’t take rejection personally. Instead, she views it as a motivator to improve and compete.

From Rejection to Radiance: How Sandra Bullock Defied...

Let’s face it—making an action flick as perfect as Jan de Bont’s Speed is no cakewalk. That 1994 barnburner, featuring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, ran circles around our expectations and became an instant classic. Do you remember the bomber’s dastardly plan? The one where the bus had to stay above 50 miles per hour or it would go up in smoke! This film masterfully wove suspense and action, creating an indelible ride!

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed | Credit: 20th Century Fox

But alas, Speed 2: Cruise Control couldn’t keep the same vibe. Now, here’s where things get curiouser and curiouser—could there be a Speed 3 on the horizon? Reeves once hinted at the possibility, but what about Bullock? Per reports, she’ll make her big return to Hollywood this year, but only on her own mighty terms. Will these demands fit like...

Poster for the 2024 Beyond Fest

82 feature films will screen during the 2024 Beyond Fest, taking place September 25 through October 9 in Los Angeles. Among the offerings will be the West Coast premieres of Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, Sean Baker’s Anora, Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice, Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch, and Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3.

The 12th edition of the festival kicks off with the world premiere of Salem’s Lot, directed by Gary Dauberman and based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud is this year’s closing night film. Plus, the genre festival hosts a reunion of Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and director Jan de Bont in honor of the 30th anniversary of Speed.

“Combining a celebration of cinema whilst firmly focusing our gaze on the next generation of filmmakers has always been at the heart of the Beyond Fest,” stated Head of Programming Evrim Ersoy. “And...

"Beyond Fest announces its 2024 festival slate including the World Premiere of Salem’S Lot, a Very Special Screening of Devara: Part 1, International Premiere of Toho’s My Hero Academia: You’Re Next, West Coast Premieres of The Brutalist in 70mm with Brady Corbet, Palme d’Or winner Anora with Sean Baker and Mikey Madison, Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice, Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch, Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3 and in-person event screenings with filmmakers Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Sam Raimi, Tarsem Singh, Jennifer Kent, Guy Maddin, Shane Black, icons Al Pacino, Kyle MacLachlan, Sarah Paulson, Ron Perlman, and a 30th Anniversary Speed reunion with stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock and director Jan de Bont."

Los Angeles, CA 12th September 2024 - Beyond Fest, the biggest and highest-attended genre film festival in the US, is excited to announce its complete slate of 2024 programming comprising 82 features, including 16 World Premieres, 4 International Premieres, 1 North American Premiere,...

Beyond Fest 2024, the genre film festival based in the United States is returning for its 12th presentation with an 82-feature lineup for 15 days of cinematic spectacle! This year’s celebration includes a killer roster of firsts, special screenings, anticipated reunions, and more fan-favorite filmmakers than most cinephiles could handle for one momentous event! This year’s collection of films and creators is better than ever, so prepare yourself for a gauntlet of big-screen wonders, a popcorn diet, and random encounters with celebrities and fans alike.

Per Beyond Fest’s official press release (with some flavor text sprinkled in):

Beyond Fest, the biggest and highest-attended genre film festival in the US is excited to announce its complete slate of 2024 programming comprising 82 features, including 16 World Premieres, 4 International Premieres, 1 North American Premiere, 3 US Premieres, and 25 West Coast Premieres. After entertaining over 25,000 guests in 2023, Beyond Fest returns for its 12th edition, spanning September 25th – October 9th.

The long-awaited unveiling of Gary Dauberman’s Salem’s Lot, the west coast premiere of Terrifier 3, a 30th anniversary Speed reunion with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, and focus on filmmakers Sam Raimi and Shane Black are among the many highlights of the 12th edition of Beyond Fest, which will hit Los Angeles starting Sept. 25.

Other big-name titles include the international premiere of Toho’s My Hero Academia: You’re Next and the west coast premieres of The Brutalist, the immigration thriller that is coming off a Silver Lion award for best director at the Venice Film Festival. Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner Anora, Donald Trump origin story The Apprentice, and Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch are also on the docket And there will be the U.S. premiere of Sarah Paulson’s suspense thriller Hold Your Breath.

Billing itself the largest genre film festival in the United States,...

The 2024 Beyond Fest lineup has officially been unveiled, and fans are ready for a spooky good festival.

The genre film festival will open with the highly-anticipated reimagining of Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot.” The novel was originally brought to the screen in 1979 with a two-part miniseries and a 2004 film.

Now, director Gary Dauberman is giving the horror classic his own twist, with Lewis Pullman starring. The feature had a delayed debut as Warner Bros. pushed its slated September 2022 until Spring 2023 before pulling the film from a U.S. theatrical release all together. “Salem’s Lot” will debut on Max October 3, and will have its world premiere on the big screen for Beyond Fest.

The festival will take place from September 25 to October 9.

Beyond Fest will close with Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “Cloud.” Kurosawa will be in-person to launch a 7-film retrospective with the festival. A Guy Maddin retrospective will also take place...

With things constantly being swapped out or deleted from your favorite streaming service, a commitment to physical media should be stronger now than ever before. And thankfully both big studios and smaller boutique labels understand how important physical releases are.

We are running down the very best 4K Blu-ray and DVD releases from July and August 2024.

“Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid” MGM

One of the most hotly anticipated home video releases of the year is here – and it was worth the wait. Sam Peckinpah’s highly contested western, about an older Pat Garrett (James Coburn) hired to track down and kill Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson), was taken away from the filmmaker in post-production and released in a truncated version that he and several of the cast and crew members outspokenly derided. This Criterion release acknowledges and engages with the various iterations of the movie, with 4K discs devoted...

(from left) Lily (Sasha Lane) and Tyler (Glen Powell), in Twisters directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Photo Credit; Melinda Sue Gordon Copyright Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures & Amblin Entertainment When the 1996 action movie Twister hit theaters, it was a box office tornado, sweeping audiences off their feet. With a stellar cast including Oscar-winner Helen Hunt and the unforgettable Bill Paxton, directed by the action maestro behind Speed, Jan de Bont, and produced by the legendary duo Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall, it had all the makings of a blockbuster. A sequel seemed inevitable, but fans were left waiting… and waiting. 28 long years later, Twisters finally arrived, proving that the storm hadn’t calmed. What caused the decades-long delay? Frank Marshall, who returned to produce the sequel, shed light on the factors that kept the project grounded for so long. (Click on the media bar below to hear Frank Marshall) https://www.

It is impossible to think of disaster films and not think of Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton as Dr. Jo Harding and Bill Harding in ‘Twister’. Jan de Bont's film was the second-highest-grossing film of 1996 and had a very significant impact on popular culture, becoming a fan favorite and influencing storm chasers all over. There was never a continuation until now with Lee Isaac Chung’s stand alone sequel‘Twisters’ (2024), and now a new crew will be chasing a few storms together. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy.

The much anticipated standalone sequel to the 1996 Jan de Bont film Twister is finally here and seems to be a hit among the audience and the critics. Directed by Academy Award Nominee Lee Isaac Chung from a screenplay by Mark L. Smith, Twisters has all the destruction, mayhem, and cool characters you want in a film like this.

Twisters follows the story of Kate, a former storm chaser, who is lured back into the fields for one last time by her friend, Javi, to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. As she begins working with Javi, Kate meets Tyler Owens, a charming but reckless social media superstar who built his fanbase by chasing storms. As storm season gets more dangerous, Kate, Tyler, and the people in their team find themselves fighting against a storm to survive.

Twisters – Streaming & VOD Release Date (Where & When to Watch It?) Credit – Universal Pictures

Twisters...

Mateo

After wrapping up July with a Jan de Bont double feature discussing the movie magic of Twister (listen) and the laundry list of problems with his 1999 remake of The Haunting (listen), we’re tackled our first Alejandro Jodorowsky film with Santa Sangre (listen).

Now we’re back on American soil for our first Screenlife horror film on the Main Feed: Stephen Susco‘s Unfriended sequel, Unfriended: Dark Web (2018).

In the movie, Matias (Colin Woodell) shows up for virtual game night with a new laptop. As his friends – conspiracy nut Aj (Connor Del Rio), British Damon (Andrew Lees), harangued Lexx (Savira Windyani), and lesbian couple Nari (Betty Gabriel) and Serena (Rebecca Rittenhouse) – play Cards Against Humanity, Matias discovers hidden video files on the stolen computer.

The realization leads him to Charon (Douglas Tait) and Erica Dunne (Alexa Mansour), a missing 17 year old as Matias, his deaf girlfriend Amaya (Stephanie Nogueras...

This article is part of IndieWire’s 2000s Week celebration. Click here for a whole lot more.

When the 2000s began, Todd Field was a journeyman actor best known for his work in “Ruby in Paradise,” “Eyes Wide Shut,” and a pair of Jan de Bont spectacles.. A year into the decade, he would be recognized as one of the most promising filmmakers of his generation after writing and directing “In the Bedroom” (2001), a low-budget indie that became a surprising commercial success on its way to five Oscar nominations. Looking back now, Field recognizes that it was a unique time not just for him, but for film history in general.

“There are so many advantages now, technically, for young filmmakers starting out,” Field told IndieWire. “But in terms of actually having people see the work, it seems much harder. The idea that this film got made, that it got into Sundance,...

Elephants, Eagles & Chickens, Oh My!

After wrapping up July with a Jan de Bont double feature discussing the movie magic of Twister (listen) and the laundry list of problems with his 1999 remake of The Haunting (listen), we’re heading down to Mexico City to discuss Alejandro Jodorowsky‘s surrealist masterpiece Santa Sangre (1989).

Santa Sangre sees Fenix (Axel Jodorowsky), a former circus magician, escape from a mental hospital to rejoin his armless mother Concha (Blanca Guerra), the leader of a strange religious cult. Once they are reunited, Fenix is forced to enact brutal murders on Concha’s behalf as he becomes “her arms.” Only a figure from his past, the deaf mute tightrope walker Alma (Sabrina Dennison), can stop him before he murders again; but will she be able to reach him in time?

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts,...

Hideo Kojima, who is renowned for creating video games like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, has a strong social media presence, sharing his thoughts on a wide genre, varying from entertainment to games. He recently shared his thoughts on the Twisters film, which garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones in Twisters | Amblin Entertainment

Overall the movie maintained a positive outlook in the audience’s eyes, its ending was a rather polarizing one with many wanting something more whereas others felt just as satisfied. Given that the ending is Steven Spielberg’s magic, the former shared his stance in favor of the polarizing ending.

Hideo Kojima Talks About Glen Powell’s Twisters

The 2024 disaster film, Twisters follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by focusing on the lives of storm chasers as they pursue tornadoes. Directed by Jan de Bont, the 1996 Twister is...

Keanu Reeves is one of Hollywood’s most formidable action stars. After having played ruthlessly brutal characters like John Wick and the cyber-criminal-turned-hero Neo in The Matrix, Reeves has solidified his place in Hollywood’s Hall of Fame for his crazy combat and action skills. However, before he was the morally gray hitman, John Wick, or the savior of humanity, Neo, the actor’s first tryst with fame was in the 1994 action thriller, Speed.

Keanu Reeves as Neo in The Matrix | Warner Bros.

While the film is a cult classic today, Reeves nearly made the same mistake as Val Kilmer by almost rejecting the one film that took him to the forefront of fame and acclaim.

Keanu Reeves Almost Rejected Speed Which Made Him a Global Star

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed | 20th Century Fox

Keanu Reeves has played several brilliant roles throughout his career, with many of them,...

The Children, Eleanor!

We’ve spent the month of July discussing the badass babes of Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror (listen), the queer undertones of Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut (listen), and the “very bad weather” of Jan de Bont‘s 1996 tornado film, Twister (listen).

Now we’re wrapping up our de Bont double bill with his less successful 1999 special effects remake, The Haunting!

In the film, sheltered Eleanor (Lili Taylor) is recruited for a dubious insomnia study at the infamous Hill House by questionable doctor David Marrow (Liam Neeson). Along with bisexual Theo (Catherine Zeta-Taylor) and horny Luke (Owen Wilson), Nell is terrorized by annoying ghost children and the monstrous owner of the house, Hugh Crain (Charles Gunning).

As the spectral hauntings become more and more severe, Nell must uncover her tenuous connection to the previous victims before the terrible CGI swallows her and the other participants whole.

Thank the Midwest for the stunning “Twisters” box office turnout over the past weekend: The movie’s middle-American appeal helped Lee Isaac Chung‘s disaster movie whip up more than $80 million at the opening weekend box office. As of writing, the Glen Powell star vehicle has grossed over $113 million in the United States.

Plus, a “Super Bowl” trailer always goes a long way with heartland audiences who feel underrepresented or devalued by Hollywood. Ditto an NBCUniversal-backed NASCAR spot featuring Powell himself hocking the film, and a production shot on location in Oklahoma, and a movie about the very disasters affecting states in America’s Tornado Alley. Rival studios should take note of how Universal Pictures has tapped into a rural sensibility here with a movie both fresh and also familiar given its expansion of the IP established by Jan de Bont’s 1996 blockbuster, “Twister.”

IndieWire spoke with exhibitors in...

Take one look at 1996’s Twister and you can tell it couldn’t have been an easy shoot. But nevermind the wind generated by Boeings or the debris being hurled violently at the cast or the stars being blinded by on-set lamps – everybody had Jan de Bont to deal with.

As one story from the set of Twister goes, Jan de Bont pushed a camera crew assistant, who subsequently fell into a ditch. After de Bont refused to apologize or show any remorse, cinematographer Don Burgess took his crew and went home, forcing a domino effect that led to multiple other teams walking off. Enter producer Steven Spielberg, who actually hand-picked de Bont because of 1994’s Speed. But Spielberg didn’t bother going to the set; instead, he made his mark right there at the airport.

After Jan de Bont was made to turn up at the airport, Spielberg allegedly...

Some of Keanu Reeves’ most iconic films just surpassed big anniversaries. So to celebrate, the actor shared his fondest memories from “The Matrix,” “Speed” and more.

“’The Matrix’ changed my life and then over these years, it’s changed so many other people’s in really positive and great ways, so as an artist … you hope for that when you get to do a film or tell a story,” Reeves said on Monday’s “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”

Stephen Colbert pointed out that 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of “Speed,” the 25th for “The Matrix” and the 10th for “John Wick.” He then instructed the “Book of Elsewhere” author to quickly pick his favorite parts from each of his films as he named them.

When asked about “Speed,” Reeves recalled, “Sandra Bullock and Jan de Bont, the director, saying, ‘Give me the f–ing camera!'”

The talk show...

There are few '90s blockbusters quite as resonant as "Twister." Yes, there were much bigger movies birthed by the decade, from "Jurassic Park" to "Armageddon," but there is something so singular about Jan de Bont's enduring disaster flick. There's a reason it took nearly 30 years to make a sequel in the form of director Lee Isaac Chung's recently released "Twisters," which is more or less a reboot even though it technically exists in the same universe. One thing that might have contributed to the very specific vibe of de Bont's 1996 disaster flick? The chaotic production that seemingly mirrored the chaos of a metaphorical tornado.

Speaking recently with The Independent, "Twister" stunt coordinator Mic Rodgers painted a picture of just how chaotic the production was. His most tantalizing reveal? Producer Steven Spielberg, one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, allegedly flew down to the set to scream at de Bont.

Steven Spielberg is often seen with a cool and composed demeanor. But a situation that happened on the Twister 1996 set reportedly left the filmmaker completely baffled. Spielberg, who helmed the executive producer role for the American disaster movie, flew down to Oklahoma and yelled at director Jan de Bont.

Bill Paxton in a still from Twister || Warner Bros.

The reason being de Bont’s alleged meltdown on set. This further led to the entire crew temporarily halting all the activities. A stuntman present on the movie set detailed what chaos took place on the movie set in a recent interview.

How Steven Spielberg’s Intervention Brought the Twister Crew Back on Set?

The entire production of Twister 1996 took an entirely different turn when the crew temporarily halted all activities and walked out. The reason behind this being director Jan de Bont’s dramatic meltdown on set. Stunt coordinator...

In the lead up to the release of “Twisters,” the stunt coordinator from 1996’s “Twister” spoke to The Independent about the chaos that ensued during the production of the original movie. Mic Rodgers recalled “Twister” director Jan de Bont having an alleged meltdown on set one day that resulted in the crew temporarily abandoning the production.

Per The Independent: “De Bont’s most notorious outburst nearly scuppered the entire production. The crew was filming in a ditch one day, when the director shoved a camera assistant aside, who tripped and tumbled down the gulley. After the director refused to apologise for the incident, [the] entire camera crew stormed off the set, promptly followed by the audio team, then the wardrobe department.”

“It had been brewing,” Rodgers told the publication about the set tension.

According to Rodgers, none other than executive producer Steven Spielberg arrived the next day to Norman, Okla. to...

Ilm’s Ben Snow has come full circle. After serving as a young artist on Jan de Bont’s “Twister during the early days of digital in 1996, the VFX vet returned as production supervisor on Lee Isaac Chung’s “Twisters” with a full CG arsenal at his disposal. “The original film was a tough show,” he told IndieWire. “We were inventing a lot of the technology and didn’t really know what we were doing. And so I think it’s really good to be able to come back and revisit it with a modern toolset.”

What director Chung envisioned for his update, which concerns the rivalry between tornado chasers Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Tyler (Glen Powell) during Oklahoma’s most destructive season, was making the CG tornadoes terrifying forces of nature with individual characteristics. This impressionistic approach was important in charting Kate’s emotional arc during her redemptive mission...

Cowtastrophe.

After kicking off July with discussions on the badass babes of Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror (listen) and the queer undertones of Stanley Kubrick’s final film Eyes Wide Shut (listen), we’re taking a vacation from heavy analysis and having fun with Jan de Bont‘s 1996 special effects extravaganza Twister!

In the film, a series of intense storms sweeping through Oklahoma leads meteorologist Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and her team of storm chasers to test out Dorothy, a ground-breaking tornado data-gathering device conceived by Jo’s estranged husband, Bill (Bill Paxton). When Bill shows up in town with his new fiancée (Jami Gertz) in tow, it becomes a race against the clock as the whole crew try to get Dorothy to work before their rival Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes) gets there first.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts,...

Lee Isaac Chung's Twisters is feeling it and chasing it at the box office! That's right folks, the Minari filmmaker will be feeling wonderful (wonderful) after his disaster movie sequel stormed to an almighty $123 million at the global box office this past weekend. The Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos starrer made it rain to the tune of $80.5 million on its domestic opening Stateside (a disaster flick record that eclipses The Day After Tomorrow's $68.4 million open back in 2004), whilst internationally the follow-up to Jan De Bont's Og Twister has now brewed up a cool further $42.5 million.

The critical and commercial success of Twisters continues a summer box office season that's overcome a nervy start with the underwhelming turnouts for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and The Fall Guy and gone from strength to strength of late. In the last couple of months, we've seen Inside Out 2...

The Following Contains Major Spoilers From Twisters.

Although Twisters is striking up all kinds of nostalgia for fans of the original, the sequel attempts to do away with the romantic comedy conventions of the ’90s.

Director Lee Isaac Chung explained why, although it was filmed, he didn’t end up using a shot of Daisy Edgar-Jones‘ Kate Cooper and Glen Powell‘s Tyler Owens kissing in the final scene after he runs through an airport to find her.

“I feel like audiences are in a different place now in terms of wanting a kiss or not wanting a kiss. I actually tried the kiss, and it was very polarizing — and it’s not because of their performance of the kiss,” Chung told Entertainment Weekly. “This [no-kiss shot] was the other option that I had filmed on the day, and I got to say, ‘I like it better. I think it’s a better ending.

Starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt in the lead roles, the 1996 film Twister was a major success, earning critical acclaim and two Oscar nominations at the 69th Academy Awards. Its popularity paved the way for a recently released sequel featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell.

Twister | Credit: IMDb

However, the original film’s production was not without its difficulties. The cast of the film faced numerous challenges, including temporary blindness, due to the filmmakers’ dedication to authentically capturing the storm-chasing adventure.

Jan De Bont’s Struggles While Filming Twister

Filmmaker Jan De Bont preferred to shoot the 1996 action film Twister in Oklahoma to depict the harsh weather conditions featured in the movie authentically. However, unlike what he wished for, the weather in Oklahoma was not cooperating.

Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton | Credit: Warner Bros.

While the filmmaker had wished for cloudy weather, it ended up being all sunny with clear blue skies.

Lee Isaac Chung’s Twisters is whipping up huge winds at the box office, with forecasters predicting a far better than expected domestic opening of $80.5 million in North America. That’s even up from Saturday’s already massive estimate of $74.6 million.

The record-breaking movie, playing in 4,151 theaters, easily boasts the top domestic opening ever for a natural disaster film, not adjusted for inflation. (The current crown holder is Roland Emmerich’s The Day After Tomorrow, which bowed to $68.44 million in 2004.) It’s also the third biggest start of the year to date behind Inside Out 2 ($154.2 million) and Dune: Part Two ($82.5 million) after edging out Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire ($80 million).

The turnout for Twisters cements the rising star status of Hollywood’s man-of-the-moment Glen Powell, along with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos (the trio lead the ensemble cast). It’s also a notable win for Chung, the acclaimed filmmaker of indie hit Minari.