A television adaptation of the popular Sony video game franchise Twisted Metal has officially found a streaming home at Peacock.
Known for its vehicular combat and dark humor, the Twisted Metal franchise is widely considered to be one of the most popular PlayStation video games of all time. While the original game and its many sequels were developed by various companies, the Twisted Metal games are primarily known for being available on PlayStation. Franchise entries were included on each generation of the console, with every game being published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Likewise, the TV series is being priced by Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions, as well as Universal TV.
The Falcon and Winter Soldier actor Anthony Mackie will star in Twisted Metal. The series is described as a half-hour "adrenaline-infused comedy," with Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick attached as executive producers. Mackie will also serve as an executive producer, and Michael Jonathan Smith (Cobra Kai) will serve as showrunner. "Twisted Metal has been a global phenomenon for more than 25 years but it was the creative vision for this live-action adaptation, led by Michael Jonathan Smith, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, that blew us away. Also Anthony Mackie starring made it undeniable!” said Lisa Katz, president scripted content at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, in a statement. “This adrenaline-infused comedy series is in expert hands with our partners at Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions and Universal Television, and will be the perfect addition to Peacock as we continue to look for uniquely entertaining programs."
The video game franchise takes place in a Mad Max-style dystopian future based around a violent demolition derby tournament known as Twisted Metal. The game gives players the option of controlling one of the many eclectic and bizarre characters, along with their supped-up vehicles that are loaded with ballistics and various weaponry. One of the most recognizable characters is a terrifying clown with flaming hair named Needles, who drives around an armed ice cream truck referred to as Sweet Tooth. While each character had their own story, the games were primarily known for their vehicular combat.
A film adaptation was previously in the works back in 2012, with Crank and Crank: High Voltage co-director Brian Taylor attached. However, according to Taylor, Sony passed on the project, believing the franchise wasn't popular enough to warrant the budget required for the film. In 2019 Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra confirmed that a TV series was in the works. Last year, Reese and Wernick boarded the series and were later joined by fellow executive producers Will Arnett, Marc Forman, Peter Principato, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Herman Hulst.
Twisted Metal is just the latest video game to receive a television adaptation. A series based on the popular first-person shooter Halo is set to premiere on Paramount Plus next month, and the highly anticipated The Last of Us series for HBO starring Pedro Pascal is currently in production. Amazon Prime Video is also developing an adaptation of the popular post-apocalyptic game franchise, Fallout.
Twisted Metal does not currently have a release date.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter