‘Minari’ director sees explosive success with new disaster film ‘Twisters’

From left, actor Glen Powell, director Lee Isaac Chung, actors Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos attend Universal's 'Twisters' premiere at the Regency Village theater in Los Angeles, July 11. AFP-Yonhap

Lee Isaac Chung, the Korean American director known for his Oscar-winning film “Minari,” is making waves in the U.S. box office with his disaster film “Twisters.”

“Twisters,” a sequel to the 1996 film “Twister,” debuted in 4,151 theaters across the United States and Canada last Friday, earning $32.2 million in ticket sales on its opening day, according to data provider Box Office Mojo.

The outcome nearly matches the $33 million earned by Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” on its opening day during a similar period last year, marking an encouraging record for Chung in his first big-budget film as a director.

The disaster film tells the story of storm chasers, including Kate Carter (played by Daisy Edgar-Jones), who works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The film is expected to follow a similar box office success to other big-budget movies released this year.

“Outlook for the opening weekend of the natural disaster thriller is now at $74 million — way north of the industry estimates for $50 million to $55 million earlier this week,” according to Variety, a U.S.-based entertainment news outlet.

“That puts it in competition with fellow Universal release “Despicable Me 4” ($75 million) for the fourth-biggest three-day debut of the year 토토 i(though that animated sequel opened on a Wednesday and had grosses dispersed across a five-day holiday weekend frame).”

The film is receiving positive reviews from audiences of all ages and genders, and is being hailed as a notable achievement for director Chung.

“It’s also a notable win for Chung, the acclaimed filmmaker of indie hit “Minari.” The film’s demos are impressive: It is playing evenly among females and males, as well as appealing to both younger and older adults in what could lead to a new franchise,” the Hollywood Reporter said.

Chung has also gained fame in Korea with “Minari,” a 2020 film that portrayed the life and struggles of a Korean immigrant family in the U.S. For this film, veteran actor Youn Yuh-jung won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2021.

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