INDIEWIRE – Universal is the studio behind “Twister” and its 2024 sequel “Twisters.”
Glen Powell’s schedule isn’t about to slow down. The actor and his production company, Barnstorm, have signed a first-look deal with Universal Pictures, the studio behind “Twister” (1996) and its Powell-starring sequel “Twisters” (2024).

“Barnstorm has been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” Powell said in a statement. “I want our company to be a destination for world class theatrical entertainment. Throughout the process of making ‘Twisters,’ I was so impressed with the leadership of Universal and the vision and ambition of their team across so many departments. We are so honored to call them home.”

“Glen is the complete package: a talented, charismatic producer, creator, writer, and actor at the top of his game, who is committed to entertaining global audiences across all genres,” Universal Pictures President Peter Cramer said. “He was an ideal partner throughout the production and release of our hit ‘Twisters,’ and we know that he will continue to expand on his success in the years to come. We couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with him, Dan, and the Barnstorm team to create compelling new stories for the big screen.”

Barnstorm produced “The Blue Angels,” “Hitman,” and the upcoming Hulu series “Chad Powers.”

Along with the news of the deal, Barnstorm announced Tuesday that Dan Cohen has joined the company as a partner.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the nearly 15 years I’ve spent at 21 Laps with Shawn Levy, Dan Levine & the 21 Laps entire team for everything we’ve made together and I wasn’t looking to leave,” Cohen said. “Glen is somebody I’ve admired for a long time and who’s earned every ounce of his success. Partnering with him at Barnstorm is an extraordinary opportunity. We share a passion for pushing creative boundaries, amplifying fresh voices, and telling bold, impactful stories that connect with audiences around the world. People often talk about doing ‘One for me… and one for them.’ But in looking forward to building Barnstorm, the philosophy is “All for me. And all for them.”

“Twisters,” released in July, earned $370 million at the global box office; the original almost made $500 million, and that’s not considering inflation.

Powell first broke out as the new Iceman (of sorts) opposite Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick.” He has since starred in every single movie made (that’s only a bit of hyperbole), and has written and produced more of them than you might think. He’s currently filming Edgar Wright’s remake of “The Running Man” for Paramount, and he’ll also be seen in John Patton Ford’s “Huntington” and John Lee Hancock’s “Monsanto.”

DEADLINE – EXCLUSIVE: Two-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins will team with Top Gun: Maverick’s Glen Powell in Locked, a remake of the Argentinian action thriller 4X4, for ZQ Entertainment and Raimi Productions. David Yarovesky is set to direct. He and Raimi collaborated recently on Nightbooks. Michael Arlen Ross (Oracle) wrote the script. The original was written and directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat (Official Competition).

Locked is an intense, character-driven thriller about a thief who breaks into a luxury SUV, only to realize that he’s stumbled into a complex and deadly trap set by a mysterious figure. CAA Media Finance reps the worldwide distribution rights and the project will be unveiled at the upcoming EFM.

Powell, most recently seen as the high-flying wingman opposite Tom Cruise and Miles Teller in Top Gun: Maverick, here will play the young thief who finds himself not in control of the stolen vehicle. Raimi told Deadline that the strong script allows both of the main actors room to do something exceptional with their characters.

“Dave Yarovesky so elevated the material on Nightbooks, and he was our first choice for this,” Raimi told Deadline. “The script was so good and he’s such a good communicator that we were able to interest Anthony Hopkins, who for my generation is just about the greatest actor ever. Glen’s character has got a soul to him that’s slowly revealed as the picture goes on. It seems as though he’s just a thief, someone that doesn’t care for others but as the film unfolds, you realize he has a wife and a child that he loves and he’s wronged, and this whole experience gives him a chance to reflect back on how he’s treated them, and how he’s lived his life relative to them.”

He has good reason to focus on all this, Raimi added.

“Because his time is at hand. He’s told by Sir Anthony Hopkins’ character that this will be it for him, and so the self reflection is an element through the course of this adventure,” Raimi said. “But this is not an emotional piece as much as it is an action tension piece, a nonstop thrill ride with characters at the center you learn to care about. That will be a satisfying experience for the audience.”

Ara Keshishian and Petr Jákl are producing under their ZQ Entertainment banner, with Raimi and Zainab Azizi producing for Raimi Productions. Cohn and Duprat are executive producing. Martin J. Barab is also executive producing. Development is financed by ZQ Entertainment, whose principal Ara Keshishian has separately partnered with Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho to produce God’s Country, and with George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures on the John Grisham novel adaptation Calico Joe.

Hopkins is repped by CAA and attorney Mitch Smelkinson; Powell is CAA and JSSK; Raimi is CAA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Yarovesky by UTA and Kaplan/Perrone; Ross by Entertainment 360 and Lichter, Grossman; and Cohn and Duprat by CAA and NuCo Media Group.