The LA premiere of the new tornado blockbuster Twisters was interrupted by protesters on Thursday evening who accused the film of ‘glorifying’ violence against animals.
Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell, Twisters is a sequel to the 90s tornado disaster movie that’s attracting fans to the cinema.
With huge stars and a blockbuster budget of $200 million (£151.1 million), the film has garnered a lot of attention, but not all of it good.
The film has been criticised by animal rights activists for including a scene at a rodeo which PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) claimed glamourised the abuse of animals.
Powell, 35, plays a rodeo cowboy who becomes a storm-chasing influencer, and a scene in the film shows the Hollywood heartthrob at the rodeo in full cowboy gear.
To protest the inclusion of rodeo scenes, PETA disrupted the Los Angeles premiere and held signs that read: ‘Stop Glamorizing Rodeos’ and ‘Lasso Tornadoes, Not Animals.’ The group documented the protest on X.
‘We demand a disclaimer! @universalpics , it’s time for a reality check. @Twisters’ rodeo date scene glorifies torment, violence, and death of animals,’ read one tweet.
‘We paid a visit to @Twistersmovie star @glenpowell on the red carpet to let him and @UniversalPics know that rodeos aren’t entertainment!’ read another from the group.
‘We stirred up at a storm at the #TwistersMovie premiere tonight with a clear message against its rodeo scene. Shame on Universal Pictures for glamorizing violence towards animals!’ read another message.
PETA explained they will be content with Universal Studios adding a disclaimer highlighting that rodeos are ‘violent spectacles’ and ‘nothing like what is shown in Twisters.’
‘Don’t get it twisted -PETA’s all for “wrangling” tornadoes, but abusive rodeos should be left in the dust.
‘Since Universal Pictures insists on glamorizing rodeos in its upcoming summer blockbuster Twisters, the buck stops with the studio to add a disclaimer condemning these cruel events and discouraging audiences from attending them,’ a statement read on their site.