The ties between the Natural State and three summer blockbusters

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – If you’ve headed to the movie theaters recently to escape the heat and check out one of the new summer blockbusters, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed references to the Natural State.

Though none of the current slate of options at the theater were set in Arkansas or star actors from the state, they still have ties that are unmistakable.

One of the most anticipated moves of the summer is ‘Twisters’, which has a few references to the Natural State including its lead character Tyler Owens who is said to be from Arkansas.

Though no city of origin was named, Owens’ entrance was heralded by the Charley Crockett cover of “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” , a single also recorded by Johnny Cash, blaring over a speaker. Later in the movie, the song “Arkansas” by Chris Stapleton also played as part of its soundtrack.

The tie between “Twisters” and the state of Arkansas is natural due to director Lee Isaac Chung’s experience growing up in Lincoln and attending Lincoln High School.

“I grew up in Arkansas – northwest Arkansas. And I remember, when that (“Twister”, the 1996 blockbuster) came out, we were all used to tornadoes. We kind of grew up around them,” Chung stated in an interview with NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

Another reference to Arkansas comes in the film “Longlegs”, a horror film starring Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage. Though there’s no references to the state specifically, it’s hard not to notice a giant portrait of Bill Clinton each time the characters are in F.B.I. agent Carter’s office.

Also, if you haven’t seen “The Bikeriders”, the film by Little Rock director Jeff Nichols, there is still time to catch it in theaters in the Natural State or at home on demand. The film, which released officially on June 21 and has grossed $20.5 million in the United States and Canada and has made $12.1 million in other territories for a total of $32.6 million.

Nichols, who has also directed the films Mud and Midnight Special, held a sneak preview of the film in October at the Arkansas Cinema Society’s Filmland 2023 festival in Little Rock.

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