Studios see a couple of video game movies and shows get it right and now every big name IP in the world of console gaming is lining up. From arcade classics to the shining gems of earlier generations to the games that topped bestseller lists only a few years ago, nothing is safe from the screen.
Sony has become one of the most prolific video game studios when it comes to pushing its properties for adaptation.Uncharted, despite reviewing somewhat poorly, sold very well, leading the studio to greenlight a ton of new video game movies and shows, no matterhow ill-advised the pitch.
RELATED:Peacock Has Found A Director For Its Twisted Metal Series
Twisted Metalbegan life back in the early-90s when Sony was looking for big names it could use to sell its first-ever home console, the PlayStation. The big name attached to theproject was David Jaffe, who would later go on to direct theGod of Warfranchise. The game came from the idea of a freeway chase scene out of a crime thriller likeHeat, melded with the violent car-to-car combat ofMad Max. There have been eight mainline games in the franchise, with two spin-offs on the market, and three canceled games that never made it out. The franchise hasn’t seen a proper new entry in a decade when Jaffe’s development studio Eat Sleep Play, Inc. attempted a full reboot. Around the same time, Sony shopped the idea of a film adaptation around, even tapping Brian Taylor ofCrankfame to direct. The studio canceled that project as well, however, only to set to work ona TV series seven years later. That series finally seems to be up and running.
The narrative oftheTwisted Metalfranchiseis extremely simplistic. It functions a bit like old arcade fighting games by setting up a competition and playing out the story based on whoever wins. The evil Calypso, a blatant take on Satan so obvious they might as well have used the name, holds a legendary annual demolition derby tournament. He seeks out the worst people in the world to compete and offers a single wish without limits as the grand prize. Almost every victory ever recorded has been uncharitably reinterpreted in aMonkey’s Pawtwist that rendered it a fate worse than death. Bizarrely, few of these elements seem to be present in thepremise of Peacock’s upcoming adaptation.
Anthony Mackie stars as John Doe, a fast-talker who accepts a sketchy job to transport a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. He’s promised a once-in-a-lifetime chance at a better life and paired with a dangerous car thief to get the job done. On the way, he’ll be attacked by an armyof dangerous road warriors, and he’ll have to survive their automotive violence to get his unclear wish granted. On its face, this is a Twisted Metal competition from the perspective of a single character, solving the issue of the ensemble story being a bit unfocused. Most of the narrative of the games takes place before the races start and after the winner is decided, so this show is taking place primarily in-between to focus on the action. Of the listed characters, some names are familiar, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll match the source material.
Mackie’s character John Doe definitely shares a name with a character introduced in the series' landmark titleTwisted Metal: Black.His description doesn’t exactly fit the mold, however. The one from the game is an amnesiac whose entire story is devoted to determining who he is.Brooklyn Nine-NinestarStephanie Beatriz has been castas Quiet, a seemingly fully original character. Thomas Haden Church will take on the role of Agent Stone, an FBI agent who appeared in the first game. Richard Cabral stars as Loud, another new name. Tahj Vaughans and Mike Mitchell are set to appear as Mike and Stu respectively, a pair of joyriders who hope to wish for hard drugs.Screamstar Neve Campbell will star as Raven, a gothic woman seeking revenge who also first appeared inBlack. Sweet Tooth, the longtime face of the franchise will be portrayed physically by beloved pro wrestler Samoa Joe, but his voice will be provided by Will Arnett. The show boasts an interesting cast, seemingly combining icons with new faces.
Behind the camera,Eric Andre Showdirector Kitao Sakurai is set to direct the majority of episodes. His background is largely in comedy, but he also has his name on the fascinating 2010 crime thrillerAardvark.Cobra Kaiwriter MichaelJordan Smith is the head screenwriter and showrunner on the project. The cast and crew ofTwisted Metaldefinitely seem up to the job, providing an interesting vision of the long-dormant franchise. Peacock’sTwisted Metalisn’t here yet, but there are some interesting details that could make this series one of the good ones.
