In March 2019, Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra spoke at a special event to investors about developing a television series for the Twisted Metal franchise. He said during the announcement that PlayStation Productions had struck a deal for a TV series based on the vehicular combat video games, first released on the PlayStation in 1995. Unfortunately, Vinciquerra did not provide many hard details about the deal at the time. However, we now know that it will be an action comedy series based on the original games. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick describe it as a high-octane action comedy.
In February, Asad Qizilbash, Head of Product for PlayStation Studios and Head of PlayStation Productions posted on his LinkedIn profile about Reese and Wernick’s roles in writing for the series.
Excited to be partnering with our family at Sony Pictures on another iconic franchise. We’ve been really focused on marrying the best talent with our stories.
The irreverent and edgy tone of Deadpool and the fun storytelling of Cobra Kai was the exact formula for a high octane action comedy for Twisted Metal.
– Asad Qizilbash
Reese and Wernick have previously worked together as the writers behind the “Deadpool” films and “Zombieland”. They will be serving as producers in addition to writing the show’s script. Michael Jonathan Smith, who most recently wrote for and produced “Cobra Kai”, will be the showrunner for the series, giving him overall creative authority and management responsibility.
Fresh off being named as the new Captain America, Anthony Mackie is set to star in Twisted Metal. He, along with his longtime manager Jason Spire (Inspired Entertainment), is also set to produce the TV series. He will play the lead role of John Doe in the half-hour live-action TV series. According to Deadline, “insiders say Sony TV and PlayStation Productions are extremely high on the package and a plan is in the works to take it to buyers soon”.
On 14 September, Asad Qizilbash again commented on his LinkedIn profile about the Twisted Metal production, this time regarding Mackie’s casting for the series.
We’re building something truly exciting at PlayStation Productions with our partners at Sony Pictures. Thrilled to have the brilliant Anthony Mackie join us on this, our second announced TV show. We’ve assembled a creative dream team from the writers of Deadpool and Cobra Kai. Ready to deliver something brilliantly Twisted.
– Asad Qizilbash
Also involded in producing the Twisted Metal series is Carter Swan who is simultaneously working on the screen adaptations of The Last of Us and Ghost of Tsushima. Additional producers include: Asad Qizilbash who will be making his debut with Twisted Metal and who is also working on The Last of Us and the Uncharted screen adaptation, Will Arnett (30 Rock and The Lego Movie), Marc Forman (Game Chat), Peter Principato (Keanu), and Hermen Hulst, who is Head of PlayStation Studios and whose video game credits include Death Stranding, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Killzone.
Twisted Metal Cast & Crew
PRODUCER: Carter Swan – Asad Qizilbash – Will Arnett – Marc Forman – Peter Principato – Hermen Hulst – Jason Spire
WRITER/PRODUCER: Rhett Reese – Paul Wernick
SHOWRUNNER: Michael Jonathan Smith
CAST: Anthony Mackie
Show Synopsys
The show is about motor-mouthed outsider John Doe (Mackie) who is 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, whom fans of the game will know as Sweet Tooth.
Note: Previously published on Retro Informer.