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It’s abundantly clear that video game movies and shows have finally found the power-up they’ve been looking for after so many years. Gone are the days of bizarre and unfaithful adaptations like the 1993Super Mario Bros.film and the ill-conceivedHaloseries. Now gamers (and studio executives) have plenty of reason to celebrate, withThe Super Mario Bros. Moviemaking over a billion dollars at the box office andHBO’sThe Last of Usbeing a smash hit critical darling. It’s more than likely that recent success in the genre has led to projects that were once in development hell getting a miraculous revival, such as the case withthe upcomingGears of Warfilm finally gaining momentum. Video game adaptations for film and television are pretty hot right now. Still, things are about to get set ablaze with the release of the long-awaited chaotic video game adaptation,Twisted Metal.
Whispers of a live-action adaptation of Sony and PlayStation’s cult-classic video game seriesTwisted Metalhave been circulating for years. Admittedly, out of all the franchises to pick for a movie/show,Twisted Metalis one of the more unusual cases, given that the games aren’t exactly known for their gripping storylines. The games keep things simple and to the point, allowing players to blow up everything in their path using vehicles straight out of aMad Maxfilm. That’s essentially the gist of what the games entail, and frankly, fans of the games wouldn’t have it any other way. That being said, with the show already boasting an impressive cast and crew, theTwisted Metalseries is already looking like a wild ride. To learn more about the high-octane action show’s cast, trailer, release date, and more, here is everything we know so far aboutTwisted Metal.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on July10.
RELATED:Anthony Mackie Is on the Move on First ‘Twisted Metal’ Poster
When is Twisted Metal Coming Out?
You’ll want to get your car outfitted for the apocalypse by this Summer becauseTwisted Metalwill be crashing onto screens starting Thursday, July 20, 2025. The full release schedule for the half-hour series has not yet been announced, but the show will likely follow the rest of the Peacock’s past release plans and have one of the ten total episodes debuting every Thursday after July 27.
Where Can You Watch Twisted Metal?
Those who wish to seeAnthony Mackieget into a deadly drag race with a killer clown will need a subscription to Peacock, as that will be the exclusive streaming home ofTwisted Metal. Sony and PlayStation’s lack of an alliance with a single streaming platform have served the companies well, as they’ve been able to diversify where they release adaptations of their work to great success. HBO proved to be the perfect place to bringThe Last of Usto life, andSony and Playstation are also collaborating with Amazon for aGod of Warseries. WithTwisted Metalcoming to Peacock, this marks the third streaming platform to open its doors to a PlayStation adaptation looking for a home.
Watch on Peacock
Is There A Trailer for Twisted Metal?
Sony Pictures Television released thedebut teaser forTwisted Metalon April 28th, 2023, and quickly introduced Anthony Mackie’s mysterious protagonist. Mackie is credited as playing John Doe, who sounds like a made-up person but is actually a character from the games. We then see this John Doe prepping for a deadly road trip by loading up a double-barrelled shotgun and putting on his “Road Mix”. After putting on some tunes, John Doe drives in his car equipped with two machine guns on the front. Thus, he travels off into a post-apocalyptic wasteland that is packed to the brim with those who would wish the hero harm. After the show’s title card appears, we get one more sequence that is bound to make dedicated fans of the series very happy by introducing the most popular character from the games. Set in Los Vegas, or at least whats left of it, we see a distinctive ice cream truck with a big scary clown head bobbing on the top of it. Of course, this is the van owned by Sweet Tooth (played bySamoa Joeand voiced byWill Arnett) - the killer clown mascot of theTwisted Metalseries who is bound to cause all sorts of chaotic trouble for John Doe.
On June 20, 2025, Peacock released a newfirst-look clip fromTwisted Metal, showcasing roughly two and a half minutes of footage from the series. The clip shows Sweet Tooth tossing Doe around like a ragdoll, all set to kill him. But some quick thinking gives Doe a bizarre and hilarious way out.
July 10 saw the reveal of the red-band trailer forTwisted Metal. Also highlighting nearly three minutes of footage, this trailer focuses a bit more on story than action. We see more of the supporting characters and their roles in John’s life.
Related:‘Twisted Metal’ Wraps Production on Season 1
Who Stars in Twisted Metal?
Before he almost assuredly returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Sam Wilson inCaptain America: New World Order, Anthony Mackie will be traversingTwisted Metal’s deadly environment as protagonist John Doe. John Doe, of course, isn’t his real name, but in the games, John Doe is an amnesiac who has no idea who he is or what he used to do. Doe’s inclusion is exciting, but no Twisted Metal story would be complete without Marcus “Needles” Kane, also known as Sweet Tooth. The series' mascot will be voiced byArrested Developmentstar Will Arnett, but will be physically portrayed by WWE wrestler Samoa Joe. Also attached to the cast areEncantostarStephanie Beatrizas an original character named Quiet, andSidewaysco-leadThomas Haden Churchas government operative Agent Stone.
The series also has several guest stars lined up to appear, includingNeve Campbell(Scream),Richard Cabral(End of Watch),Mike Mitchell(The Tomorrow War),Tahj Vaughns(P-Valley), andLou Beatty Jr.(Finding Normal).
What is Twisted Metal About?
The official plot synopsis forTwisted Metalreads as follows:
TWISTED METAL, a half-hour live-action TV series based on the classic PlayStation game series, is a high-octane action comedy, based on an original take by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and written by Michael Jonathan Smith, about 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 badass axe-wielding 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.
Who is Making Twisted Metal?
The showrunners forTwisted MetalisCobra KaiscribeMichael Jonathan Smith, with additional screenwriting coming fromDeadpoolco-writersRhett ReeseandPaul Wernick. Reese and Wernick will also be producing the series along with stars Anthony Mackie and Will Arnett. Three directors have been confirmed to helm the series so far includingKitao Sakurai(Bad Trip),Bill Benz(Portlandia), andJude Weng(Finding ‘Ohana).
Also attached to the film’s crew are composersLeo BirenbergandZach Robinson(Cobra Kai), cinematographerJames McMillan(Are You Afraid of the Dark?), and production designerVictoria Paul(A League of Their Own).
Will Twisted Metal Get a Season 2?
That entirely depends on how wellTwisted Metaldoes regarding viewership and critical reception. If the show is a certified hit, you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll see this post-apocalyptic wasteland again.
