How is 'Twisters' connected to the original 1996 movie? The cast calls it a 'stand-alone sequel'

Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones star in Lee Isaac Chung's "Twisters," a stand-alone sequel to "Twister." Here's how the two films are connected.

• Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones star in "Twisters," a new action movie in theaters Friday.
• The film is as a "stand-alone sequel" to the hit 1996 movie that starred Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. 
• "Twisters" includes some nods to the original disaster film. 

Glen Powell's hot streak in Hollywood continues with "Twisters," a new iteration of the 1996 disaster movie "Twister."

Lee Isaac Chung's "Twisters" stars Powell as Tyler Owens, an influencer who chases storms and documents his thrill-seeking experiences on social media, and Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Kate Carter, a meteorologist who stopped chasing storms after a traumatic event. When Kate's friend Javi (Anthony Ramos) gives her the chance to test out a new tornado-studying device, she gets back in the field.

The film is a modern-day spin on "Twister," the massive box-office hit that starred Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt as storm chasers named Bill and Jo. But don't get it twisted — "Twisters" isn't a reboot.

Here's what you need to know about "Twisters" and how it connects to its predecessor.

The movie is a 'current-day chapter' of 'Twister'

In a cover story for Entertainment Weekly, the cast referred to "Twisters" as a "stand-alone sequel."

The new film introduces new characters who aren't directly connected to Bill and Jo Harding. According to EW, Paxton and Hunt's characters aren't even referenced in "Twisters."

Both movies are set in Oklahoma and focus on a group of storm chasers, but you don't need to be familiar with the original movie to understand or enjoy "Twisters."

"I studied science in university, so this is probably a nerdy answer. I see it as a new science experiment," Chung said when asked to describe his movie during an episode of the podcast "Inside Total Film". "[It's the] same world. We don't have the same characters, but it's a new experiment."

"There are a lot of nods to the original, but I hope I've made it its own thing," Chung added, calling it a "new chapter."

"It feels like a real next chapter, whilst also having so much love for the original," Edgar-Jones told Variety, echoing the director.

''Twisters' is a film set now, in 2024; it's what chasing's like now that we have YouTube chasers, we have new technology, we have better CGI," she said.

'Twisters' contains nods and homages to the original movie

Trailers for "Twisters" revealed that Dorothy, Bill and Jo's tornado sensor device from the original "Twister," is back and being utilized by this new generation of storm chasers.

"Our version is Dorothy V, because there were there four Dorothies in the first film," production designer Patrick Sullivan said in the film's press notes.

The new weather device is more high-tech and has Muskogee State University (the school attended by Bill and Jo) and Dorothy decals on it, which are references to the first movie.

There are also moments and costumes in "Twisters" that are reminiscent of the original movie. One of Kate's outfits — a tank top, khaki overshirt, and khaki pants — is a clear nod to Jo from "Twister."

The clothing worn by storm wranglers Boone (Brandon Perea) and Lily (Sasha Lane) also pays homage to Dusty, Philip Seymour Hoffman's memorable character from the original movie.

In addition, eagle-eyed fans will notice a cameo from James Paxton, the son of late actor Bill Paxton.

"It's an Easter egg for the fans of Dad and the original," James told Entertainment Weekly. "I did this one for Dad."

"Twisters" is now in theaters.