The $600,000,000 movie Bruce Campbell turned down for a ‘Twister’ rip-off

Bruce Campbell says he turned down a small role in the 1997 sci-fi comedy Men in Black to star in Tornado!, a television film inspired by the success of Twister. The choice meant passing on a blockbuster, but Campbell preferred a lead role and better pay, reflecting his longstanding preference for starring in less conventional projects.

Campbell discussed the decision on the Inside of You podcast in 2026. The role offered in Men in Black was an exterminator, not the alien villain Edgar, who was played by Vincent D’Onofrio; the film grossed almost $600 million. Tornado! was released in 1996, the same year as Twister, and gave Campbell the starring part he wanted.