Director Lee Isaac Chung’s trajectory in Hollywood is nothing short of extraordinary. In just a few years, he’s catapulted from the intimate storytelling of Minari to the helm of Twisters, a big-budget action spectacle. This unexpected turn showcases Chung’s versatility as a filmmaker and the increasingly blurred lines between indie and blockbuster cinema.
In the not-so-distant past, Chung grappled with the prospect of abandoning filmmaking altogether. Yet, Minari, his semi-autobiographical exploration of cultural identity and family dynamics, became an unexpected triumph. The film’s critical acclaim and numerous awards, including an Oscar for Youn Yuh-jung, served as a turning point for Chung, opening doors to previously unimaginable opportunities.
One such opportunity led Chung to the expansive universe of Star Wars. Directing episodes for The Mandalorian and Skeleton Crew allowed him to hone his skills in visual effects and large-scale productions.
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“I am a big Star Wars fan,” Chung admits. “So I asked for a meeting with Jon Favreau, and we talked about Minari a bit. He liked the film, and I asked him at the end: ‘Hey, I’d love to do an episode if you would have me.’ And he said, ‘Yeah.'” This immersion in a beloved franchise proved instrumental in preparing him for the challenges of helming a major studio project like Twisters.
The genesis of Chung’s involvement with Twisters is equally remarkable. Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, recognizing his talent, championed his potential to her husband, Frank Marshall, a producer on the film. Chung’s innovative pitch, seamlessly weaving together elements from the original “Twister” with a poignant scene from Minari, captivated the producers and secured him the director’s chair.
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“One of the most nervous things for me was I had to pitch to Universal, Warner Brothers and then finally to Steven Spielberg to try to get this job,” Chung reveals. Spielberg, impressed by Chung’s vision, became a valuable collaborator throughout the production process.
With Twisters, Chung embarks on a thematic exploration of nature’s raw power and humanity’s resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. The film promises a fresh perspective on the disaster genre, showcasing Chung’s signature blend of character-driven narratives and visually stunning sequences.
Drawing inspiration from Spielberg’s iconic works, classic westerns, and even unexpected influences like Thelma & Louise, Chung infuses the film with a unique artistic vision.
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The cast of Twisters, including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos, embodies a new generation of storm chasers. Chung emphasizes the importance of authenticity and chemistry among the actors, ensuring that they not only honor the legacy of the original film but also create their own distinct mark on the franchise. “What you see with these guys is what you get,” Chung says of his cast. “They are very sincere and really down-to-earth good people.”
While Twisters represents a significant leap in scale from Chung’s previous projects, his commitment to storytelling and character development remains unwavering. He aims to deliver a summer blockbuster that not only thrills audiences with its action and special effects but also resonates on a deeper emotional level.
Chung, who grew up on a farm in Arkansas, vividly remembers experiencing a tornado warning as a child. The film’s exploration of the raw power and unpredictable nature of tornadoes stems from this formative experience.
“My dad moved us to a farm in Arkansas, and we moved into a trailer home, so it was not tethered to the ground…About three weeks into it, a tornado was in the area and we received a tornado warning on television. This was at night, and my dad just took us in a pick-up truck and said, ‘We’re going to look for a place where we can hide this thing out.’”
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Chung’s directorial style is characterized by a keen eye for detail and a deep empathy for his characters. His focus remained on crafting a character-driven story that explores the human drama amidst the chaos of nature’s fury. Despite the film’s large scale and technical complexity, he says, “I’ve been wanting to tell a story about things that are much bigger than us – Mother Earth and nature.”
As Twisters prepares to hit theaters, audiences can anticipate a thrilling and thought-provoking cinematic experience that showcases Chung’s evolution as a filmmaker while staying true to his roots as a storyteller with a deep appreciation for the natural world.
