Two Reasons Why Helen Hunt, 61, Who Played Jo Harding Isn’t Included in New ‘Twisters’ Movie

Fans of the original “Twister” were eager to see Helen Hunt return in the sequel. Hunt, who played Dr. Jo Harding, was a central figure in the 1996 film.

As anticipation for the sequel grew, many were left wondering why Hunt was not part of the new project. The explanation involves two main reasons that reflect deeper issues within the film industry.

Expectations vs. Reality

For almost three decades “Twister” fans have held hope for the film’s sequel. So, when it was finally announced, many were excited. They were eagerly waiting to see Helen Hunt reprise her role as Dr. Jo Harding.

One user on X posted in February, “I hope Helen Hunt makes a cameo in the new ‘Twisters’ movie.” However, the release of the first trailer for “Twisters” triggered a wave of disappointment.

Social media platforms buzzed with reactions expressing dismay over her absence. A fan expressed, “I kept waiting for Helen Hunt to show up, drop a pun, then fire Dorothy sensors into a twister with a modified shotgun.”

Many viewers expected that Hunt would at least make a brief appearance in the sequel even though they missed her in the trailers. The sentiment was shared widely, as fans fondly remembered Hunt’s iconic performance in the original film.

Sadly, Hunt did not make an appearance in “Twisters.” This expectation gap left many feeling let down, stirring curiosity about the reasons behind it.

Her character’s absence was glaring to those who had formed a strong attachment to her portrayal in “Twister.” The 1996 film’s dramatic and thrilling storm-chasing sequences, led by Hunt and her co-star Bill Paxton, left a lasting impression.

“Loved #Twisters but was disappointed they didn’t bring back Helen Hunt at all. The credits said “based on characters created by Michael Crichton” but there were no characters from the first film other than “Dorothy” in the beginning. Is that really why he needed credit?” a fan recently lamented.

“Twisters” Box Office Success and Audience Reception

Despite Hunt’s absence, “Twisters” has been successful so far. The film stormed the box office with an impressive $80.5 million in domestic ticket sales during its opening weekend in mid-July 2024.

Reportedly, the film easily surpassed initial industry tracking figures of about $50 million. It marks the biggest domestic opening ever for a natural disaster film. Its remarkable performance highlights the appeal of the “Twister” franchise and the high level of anticipation for the sequel.

The general audience reception of “Twisters” was a mix of admiration and nostalgia. While some viewers missed the presence of familiar characters, they appreciated the film’s thrilling storm-chasing scenes and advanced special effects.

Why Was Helen Hunt Not Included?

The impressive box office success of “Twisters” does not erase the questions surrounding Hunt’s absence. For many fans, her portrayal of Dr. Jo Harding was central to the original film’s charm.

Lee Isaac Chung, the director of “Twisters,” had a different vision for the character of Jo Harding. In his mind, Jo would still be actively chasing storms rather than living a quieter life.

This vision clashed with the idea of presenting Jo as a retired farmhand focused on her daughter. In an interview, Chung explained, “Right after seeing that first film, I imagined, What is Jo Harding up to now? She’s out there chasing storms, not at the farm complaining that her daughter’s not calling her.”

Hunt had her ideas for a sequel, which included a diverse cast of storm chasers. She planned to direct the film and co-write it with Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal.

In a 2021 interview on “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen, Hunt shared, “I tried to get it made with Daveed and Rafael and me writing it, and all Black and brown storm chasers and they wouldn’t do it. I was going to direct it.”

Despite the enthusiasm and innovative ideas, the studio behind the original “Twister” did not support Hunt’s proposal, leading to further frustration and disappointment for both Hunt and her fans.

Shady Industry Politics

The exclusion of Hunt from “Twisters” also involves some questionable industry politics. Diggs, the Grammy and Tony-winning actor-singer from “Hamilton” and “Blindspotting,” talked about this issue. He shared insights about the obstacles they encountered while trying to develop a sequel with Hunt.

Diggs expressed his frustration in a 2023 interview, stating, “There was an opportunity where we were talking about that, and it didn’t happen, and the reasons that it didn’t happen are potentially shady. But shady in the way that we know the industry is shady.”

Hunt’s proposal for an inclusive sequel featuring Black and brown storm chasers was both timely and innovative, reflecting a broader push for diversity in Hollywood.

Her idea was to set the story at a historically Black college with a rocket science club, adding fresh, diverse perspectives to the “Twister” narrative. “It was going to be so cool,” Hunt said. “We could barely get a meeting. And this is in June of 2020 when it was all about diversity.”

Unfortunately, the studio’s reluctance to embrace this vision highlights ongoing biases and missed opportunities within the industry. The rejection of Hunt’s project underscores the challenges faced by creators advocating for more inclusive storytelling.

More of Helen and Bill on “Twister” and the Sequel

In a recent interview, the beloved actress reminisced about her on-screen chemistry with Paxton, which was a key element of the original “Twister.”

Hunt shared, “I think just by who we are, we had chemistry. Not because we were similar but because we were different. And we both could see the potential for what could be fun about this and how to keep that.”

Hunt emphasized the importance of Jami Gertz’s character, Dr. Melissa Reeves, in their dynamic, acknowledging that she played a crucial role in the story, even if she didn’t receive as much recognition.

Reflecting on the popularity of “Twister,” Hunt expressed a mix of nostalgia and sadness. “It’s fun [to see Twister having a moment]. Two key actors aren’t with us anymore who did it with me. I wish they were here, and there was some kind of all-get-together version of it,” Hunt said.

Hunt acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the film’s success, “You don’t know that a movie’s going to be a success. But with this movie, I knew it was either going to be a big success or a big failure because this wasn’t some little art movie. So, the fact that it holds up is amazing.”

Bill Paxton’s Vision for a Sequel

In a 2012 interview, Bill Paxton discussed his interest in making a “Twister” sequel. He envisioned a storyline that included both his and Hunt’s characters handing the storm-chasing legacy to their daughter.

Paxton’s idea was to explore a more intense version of the original film, integrating the historical Tri-State Tornado into the plot. “There’s a great story of the Tri-State Tornado I’d like to tie into it as well,” Paxton said.

His untimely death in 2017 put an end to this vision, but his enthusiasm for the project is a testament to the original film’s impact.

The Legacy in “Twisters” and Kate Cooper’s Storyline

In “Twisters 2,” the sequel introduces a new character, Kate Cooper, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones. Kate is portrayed as a determined young storm-chaser who experiences a tragic loss during a college experiment gone wrong.

Years later, she is drawn back into the world of tornado hunting by Javi, played by Anthony Ramos, who is the only other survivor of their fateful college project. The film attempts to connect Kate’s story to the legacy of the original “Twister” through various subtle nods and elements.

Throughout the movie, there are hints that Kate’s mother might be a familiar character from the original film. However, the audience is kept in suspense regarding her identity.

Many viewers anticipated that Kate’s mother would be revealed as Hunt’s character, Jo Harding. In one scene, Kate receives a phone call from her mother, who remains unseen and unnamed, building up the mystery. This deliberate obscuring leads to a climactic moment where the mother’s identity is finally revealed.

The big reveal occurs when Kate returns home, and her mother steps out of the shadows. To the audience’s surprise, it is not Helen Hunt, but Maura Tierney who plays Kate’s mother. This twist was far from fan expectations.

While Tierney delivered a strong performance, fans expressed mixed reactions to this choice. Some appreciated the new direction, while others felt disappointed that Hunt was not part of the sequel, especially given the buildup suggesting otherwise.

The film makes several attempts to tie back to the original “Twister.” One notable element is the use of Dorothy V, a reference to the advanced weather alert system from the first film.

In the opening sequence, where Kate’s friends are killed, they are using Dorothy V, echoing the tragic backstory of Jo Harding, whose father was killed in a tornado while their family sought safety. This connection aimed to honor the legacy of the original film while introducing new characters and storylines.