Director Lee Isaac Chung aimed to authentically capture the world of storm chasers in his latest film, “Twisters,” where country music plays a pivotal role. Chung, who recently spoke on IndieWire’s Toolkit podcast, highlighted how integral music is to storm chasers’ lives, especially during long hours on the road.
“In Oklahoma, music is deeply intertwined with the storm-chasing experience,” Chung noted. “Whenever I asked about their playlists, I’d see their faces light up, each person having a unique selection.”
In Chung’s household, the music selection is governed by the driver—a rule he applied on set. Given the film’s rural Oklahoma setting and its characters’ unconventional pursuit of storms, an outlaw country soundtrack felt fitting. Chung, a country music enthusiast, crafted a soundtrack that resonated with the film’s gritty, road-bound narrative. Notably, while reading Mark L. Smith’s script, Chung listened to Chris Stapleton, envisioning the character Tyler, played by Glen Powell, immersed in Stapleton’s tunes.
