Although 'Twisters' is a legacy sequel that does not feature any of the stars from the 1996 blockbuster 'Twister,' it includes a cameo that pays homage to the original film. In a scene where Kate and Tyler seek shelter in a motel during a tornado, an unruly man and a woman are seen getting into a car that is then sucked up into the tornado. The unruly man is portrayed by James Paxton, the son of the late actor Bill Paxton who starred in the original movie alongside Helen Hunt.
James Paxton shared with Entertainment Weekly that the cameo was an Easter egg for fans of his father and the original film. Bill Paxton passed away in 2017 at the age of 61 due to complications following heart surgery.
James, who was just over a year old when 'Twister' was made, only became familiar with the movie when he was around 10 years old and it was frequently shown on cable TV. He recalled how his father would excitedly point out the film whenever it was on television.
James explained that he took on the cameo role in 'Twisters' to honor his father's memory on set and to support the success of the production, as he believed his father would have done. He aimed to pay tribute to his father's presence in this new chapter of the film.
This is not the first time James has paid tribute to his father on screen. He previously guest-starred on Marvel's 'Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.' as an alternate version of the character his father had portrayed on the ABC series.
James Paxton's other acting credits include roles in the Netflix original movie 'Velvet Buzzsaw' and TV series such as 'Eyewitness' and 'Training Day,' where he also appeared alongside his father.
'Twisters' has currently hit theaters, following its success at the box office with domestic earnings of $80 million. The film serves as a nod to the original 'Twister' and includes a heartfelt tribute to Bill Paxton by his son, James.
