Peacock's next major action series is The Twisted Metal TV show, featuring a stellar cast of talented actors. Based on the popular video game series, the show follows the tale of a psychopathic clown named Calypso who organizes a deadly competition where participants battle it out in armored vehicles. Although the Twisted Metal games didn't achieve widespread success, they garnered a devoted following for their excessive violence, dark humor, and peculiar characters. Now, in 2023, Sony has transformed the games into a thrilling TV adaptation that will be available on Peacock starting July 27. The cast has masterfully brought the eccentric range of characters to life, matching the mind-blowing premise of the show itself.
Recently, the Twisted Metal trailer debuted, showcasing the two main characters, John Doe and Sweet Tooth. The series remains largely faithful to the games, maintaining similar character designs and tone. However, there have been significant alterations to the character roster, including the addition of brand-new characters created specifically for the show, who never appeared in the games. Furthermore, one character's backstory has been retconned, changing their profession from an FBI agent to a milkman. The cast of Twisted Metal is compiled from various games in the series, creating a unique line-up that captures the essence of the Twisted Metal universe without directly adapting a single game.
Anthony Mackie As John Doe
Anthony Mackie stars as John Doe in the cast of Twisted Metal. Throughout the series, John has been a mysterious character, with his true identity and past remaining undisclosed due to his amnesia. To gain some understanding, John relies on tattoos, which is a clear nod to the film Memento, directed by Christopher Nolan. As the game progresses, it is revealed that John is a former FBI agent who was framed. Tragically, in Twisted Metal: Black, he is ultimately murdered by Calypso.
However, the portrayal of John Doe in the Peacock series differs greatly from the video game version. In this adaptation, he is not an FBI agent but instead a milkman.
Prior to his role in Twisted Metal, Mackie is most notable for portraying Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He made his first appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and went on to appear in films such as Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Mackie will soon reprise his role in the MCU as the new Captain America in Captain America: Brave New World.
Mackie's acting career gained recognition with his debut film performance as Clarence in 8 Mile. He further showcased his talent in powerful dramatic roles in Million Dollar Baby and Hurt Locker.
Stephanie Beatriz As Quiet
Stephanie Beatriz takes on the enigmatic character named Quiet in Twisted Metal, standing out among the diverse cast. Interestingly, Quiet is an original creation specifically for the series. Portrayed as a car thief, she aids John Doe in his journey to unravel his true identity. Her name and background suggest a muteness imposed on her by her oppressive community. Notably, Quiet always carries an axe, perfectly suited for the intense, violent world of Twisted Metal.
It is surprising that Beatriz assumes a predominantly silent role, considering her distinct and notable voice. Her talent shines through in her animated voice work, notably as General Sweet Mayhem in The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Chloe Barbash in Bob's Burgers, and Mirabel Madrigal in Encanto. Beatriz's live-action roles, particularly as Detective Rosa Diaz in all eight seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, have established her as a prominent figure in television.
Thomas Haden Church As Agent Stone
Thomas Haden Church has joined the cast of Twisted Metal as Agent Stone, a character that was a major part of the original game. Inspired by James Bond, Agent Stone is a secret agent with a distinct personality. In Twisted Metal: Black, the character evolved to become a renegade who sees the world in a binary way and is determined to eliminate the "bad" people.
It is uncertain which version of the character will be portrayed in the TV series, but considering Church's previous roles in the Twisted Metal cast, it is likely to lean towards the latter interpretation. Church is well-known for his commanding and imposing presence, showcased in his performances as the Sandman in Spider-Man 3 and Billy Clanton in Tombstone. He has also starred in a range of films including George of the Jungle, Sideways, Idiocracy, and John Carter. Church recently reprised his role as the Sandman in the 2021 crossover movie, Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Samoa Joe As Sweet Tooth
In the Twisted Metal cast, Samoa Joe takes on the role of Sweet Tooth. Sweet Tooth is the infamous killer clown antagonist of the franchise, and although there have been other antagonists in the series like Calypso, Sweet Tooth took over in Twisted Metal 4. Sweet Tooth has been a part of the series from the very beginning, but has now become the face of the franchise with his clown mask, physique, and iconic ice cream truck. From the clips that have been released, it appears that Sweet Tooth has been faithfully adapted for the small screen.
Despite being primarily known for his career in wrestling, Samoa Joe is not a professional actor. Currently signed to All Elite Wrestling and a two-time AEW TNT Champion, joining the Twisted Metal cast marks Joe's first venture into live-action roles. However, it is quite ironic that Joe has previously lent his voice to characters in various video games, considering that Twisted Metal is actually based on a video game series. In the gaming world, Joe has voiced Juggernaut in Dota 2 and Dota Underlords, as well as Beast in Game of Thrones.
Will Arnett As Sweet Tooth
Will Arnett has joined the cast of Twisted Metal as Sweet Tooth. Despite the fact that Samoa Joe is also playing the character, the casting has been cleverly done. Samoa Joe's physicality matches the appearance of Sweet Tooth, while Will Arnett's incredible voice acting skills allow him to dub over the character's lines. This is made possible because Sweet Tooth wears a clown mask throughout the show. The result is an impressive utilization of the clown mask.
Arnett is widely recognized for his distinct voice in animation. He has lent his voice to characters in popular films such as Horton Hears a Who, Ratatouille, Monsters vs. Aliens, and Despicable Me. However, his most notable voice acting role is as a brooding and isolated Batman in the LEGO movie franchise. In addition to his success in animation, Arnett's portrayal of Gob in Arrested Development has solidified his comedic acting talent. However, it is his role as the voice of the titular character in the acclaimed Netflix show BoJack Horseman that truly showcases his exceptional voice acting abilities.
Richard Cabral As Loud
Richard Cabral's character in Twisted Metal, Loud, is an original and enigmatic addition to the series. As Quiet's highly productive sibling, not much information is available about Loud. The creation of original characters for video game adaptations can often be a cause for concern, as seen with the criticism towards Cole Young in Mortal Kombat (2021) and Callum Lynch in Assassin's Creed. However, Quiet and Loud seamlessly blend with the eccentric and violent personalities of the Twisted Metal characters, potentially making them fan favorites.
Loud adds another successful role to Cabral's already impressive TV acting career. While he has appeared in notable movies and shows, he has yet to secure prominent roles. Cabral's filmography includes End of Watch, Snitch, and The Counselor. In television, he has had significant roles in all three seasons of the anthology series American Crime, as well as starring in FX's Mayans M.C. and the Lethal Weapon reboot.
Twisted Metal Supporting Cast & Characters
Raven, played by Neve Campbell, earned her name from her fixation on the black bird and her gothic attire. She was first introduced in Twisted Metal: Black and has an ongoing conflict with the popular group at her school. In the upcoming TV series adaptation, Campbell will portray Raven, and due to the age difference between the actor and the video game character, the TV version of Raven is expected to differ significantly from her video game counterpart. Campbell is most recognized for her portrayal of Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise.
Mike, portrayed by Tahj Vaughans, interestingly enough, only appears in Twisted Metal 2 among the cast of the Twisted Metal show. He is portrayed as an uninformed thrill-seeker who enthusiastically participates in the competition. This marks Vaughans' most significant role thus far, as his previous appearances have mainly been one-time appearances in procedural dramas like NCIS.
Mike Mitchell portrays the character of Stu in the Twisted Metal cast. Stu is depicted as Mike's closest companion, and together, they strive to maximize chaos while driving the Hammerhead. Mitchell is renowned for his roles as Randy Monahan in the Netflix series Love and Cowan in The Tomorrow War.
Lou Beatty Jr. takes on the role of Tommy in Twisted Metal. Tommy is an original character who is described as a seasoned and weathered cartographer, well aware of the perils that await in the Wild Midwest. Beatty Jr.'s notable credits include portraying Walter Howard in the Hulu series A Million Little Things.
Michael Carollo's role in the Twisted Metal cast remains a mystery, much like many of his previous unnamed characters such as "Officer" in Chicago P.D. and "Thuggish Guard" in NCIS: New Orleans.
Chloe Fineman, renowned as a comedian and a member of the regular Saturday Night Live cast, also joins the Twisted Metal cast in an undisclosed role. Additionally, she portrayed Marion Davies in Babylon and will be seen in Francis Ford Coppola's upcoming film, Megalopolis.