Peacock’s latest live-action project is based on a much loved and widely known PlayStation game, Twisted Metal. The first title was released over two decades ago, in 1995, and took the form of a series of vehicular combat games. The series has reportedly sold 5 million copies as of today. Despite being based on the video games, the series will follow an original story from the game’s universe. The script has been authored by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the talent behind works such as the Deadpool movies and Spiderhead. Set to air as a "half-hour live-action TV series,” the show is reported to be a “high-octane action comedy.” In addition to a noteworthy cast, Twisted Metal also has a remarkable creative team backing it, with many entities coming together for its production. Michael Jonathan Smith, whose works include Cobra Kai and I Own You, is the showrunner for the series. He is also the head writer and one of the show’s executive producers. Reese and Wernick will also executive produce alongside a few others, including Anthony Mackie, Will Arnett, Marc Forman, and Kitao Sakurai.With the series first being announced in February 2021, many, especially those who followed the games, have excitedly looked forward to more information regarding the show’s production. For everything we know about the project as of now, read on!
Twisted Metal: The Plot
The plot of the series promises a good amount of excitement, adrenaline, exciting characters, and a thrilling journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Most of what we know about Twisted Metal's storyline comes from Peacock. The synopsis reads:
“...a motor-mouthed outsider offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. With the help of a trigger-happy car thief, he'll face savage marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck.”
Twisted Metal: The Cast & Crew
The series has quite a remarkable cast. Marvel star Anthony Mackie will take on the lead role of the “motor-mouthed outsider” John Doe in the Twisted Metal series. Mackie had reportedly joined Peacock’s project back in September 2021. It has also been reported that Stephanie Beatriz will star alongside Mackie, portraying the character Quiet. She’ll be the “trigger-happy car thief” and is described as ferocious and motivated purely by instinct. Beatriz is widely known for her role as Detective Rosa Diaz in the popular comedy show Brooklyn Nine-Nine and for voicing Mirabel Madrigal in Disney's Encanto.
Joining them will be Neve Campbell, who starred in the Scream franchise. She is set to take on the recurring guest role of Raven. The character appeared in the Twisted Metal: Black video game in 2001. Thomas Haden Church, Sandman in the Spider-Man films, will also have a role in Peacock’s adaptation. The actor will play the lead villain, Agent Stone, in live-action.
BoJack Horseman and Arrested Development star Will Arnett will voice the character Sweet Tooth, the psychotic clown, in the series. Sweet Tooth would be very familiar to fans of the video game, given that the character has been the face of the game for a significant amount of time.
Showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith confirmed at the end of August that production had wrapped for the first season of Twisted Metal. It is not only viewers who are excited about the show. The creative team behind the series production also looks forward to the release. Talking about how the series came together and the collaboration which resulted in its outcome, Jeff Frost and Jason Clodfelter, co-presidents of Sony Pictures, commended Electric Avenue, Universal Television, and PlayStation Productions.
Talking to Variety early last year, Glenn Adilman, the Executive Vice President of comedy development for Sony Pictures Television, also expressed his sentiments about the series, saying:
“We love Twisted Metal in all its twisted insanity. Michael Jonathan Smith hit it out of the park with an action-packed, brilliantly funny adaptation and we are grateful for the support of Rhett, Paul, Will and our friends at PlayStation.”
Asad Qizilbash, Head of PlayStation Productions, also commented to Variety on the prospect of having one of their most beloved video game franchises adapted for the screen:
"We are thrilled to have such an amazing creative team and partners working together who have such passion for this iconic property," adding that they "can’t wait for fans to see what we have planned for them.”
Release Date
Despite an official release date for the show not yet confirmed, we may see the first season's release in mid-2023. This would allow enough time for post-production to conclude, making the show ready for airing. The show is a Peacock exclusive release.