Unveiling the Enigmatic Locations of Twisted Metal: Behind the Scenes of the Peacock Show's Filming

Summary

Despite being set in a post-apocalyptic world, most of the scenes in the Twisted Metal television show were filmed on location, primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Filming in New Orleans posed challenges due to extreme heat, hurricane threats, and unpredictable weather. However, the production team managed to overcome these obstacles by creatively incorporating practical means for driving stunts and other scenes, reducing reliance on special effects. The city's diverse settings and thriving film industry made it the perfect backdrop for the action comedy series.

Despite its post-apocalyptic setting, the action comedy series Twisted Metal opted for on-location filming for most of its scenes. Based on the popular video game series of the same name, the 2023 Peacock television show revolves around a demolition derby tournament known as "Twisted Metal." In this tournament, contestants employ weapons and any means necessary to eliminate opponents and become the last person (and vehicle) standing in the arena. Surprisingly, the first season of the television adaptation didn't heavily focus on the tournament itself. Instead, it placed emphasis on one of the video game's prominent characters - John Doe, portrayed by Anthony Mackie.

In Twisted Metal season 1, the story follows John Doe, who is grappling with amnesia, adopting his "Milkman" alter ego. He embarks on a journey across a post-apocalyptic wasteland to deliver a mysterious package for Neve Campbell's character, Raven. Given the treacherous nature of traveling through lawless lands, the show incorporates a dark comedic tone. While John Doe and Stephanie Beatriz's character, Quiet, defend themselves against outsiders, the series manages to inject moments of laughter. The use of stages might lead viewers to assume that the production built sets specifically for Twisted Metal. However, the cast and crew predominantly filmed in a single major US city that perfectly captured the show's post-apocalyptic ambience.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Samoa Joe, Thomas Haden Church, Neve Campbell, and the rest of the cast of Twisted Metal primarily filmed the Peacock series in New Orleans, Louisiana. The film industry in the southern city has experienced significant growth in recent years, making it the perfect setting for the post-apocalyptic action comedy series. New Orleans provided the backdrop for various sequences in season 1, including fight scenes and car chases.

Despite the show's unique premise, Twisted Metal had a budget of $72 million, necessitating the use of practical locations. Principal photography for season 1 began in May 2022 and wrapped up in late August or early September of the same year, with the entire cast and crew remaining in Louisiana throughout the filming process. The state offered everything the production needed to bring the popular video game franchise to life on Peacock. However, they encountered challenges such as extreme heat, the threat of hurricanes, and other weather-related issues, considering they were shooting in New Orleans during the summer.

LaPlace, Louisiana

Some specific filming locations for season 1 of Twisted Metal included the Lakeshore/Lake Vista neighborhood, the French Quarter, the Caesars Superdome, and areas near the Mississippi River. Additionally, actor Anthony Mackie shared that the thrilling mall chase scene in the show was filmed at a closed-down mall in or near the city, adding to its iconic status. Interestingly, practical means were predominantly employed for the driving stunts in Twisted Metal, rather than relying heavily on special effects.

During the production of Twisted Metal season 1, the talented cast traveled outside New Orleans to shoot important scenes for the Peacock action comedy series. Producers selected the census-designated place of LaPlace in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, to serve as the backdrop for several sequences in the television show. LaPlace, located along the east bank of the Mississippi River, is approximately a 30-minute drive from the city center of New Orleans and has a population of nearly 30,000 residents.

Filming took place extensively in the residential areas of the census-designated place, using both interiors and exteriors of LaPlace to capture the post-apocalyptic setting of the Peacock show. The deserted factories, swampy bayous, and decaying buildings of the census-designated place proved ideal for the production of Twisted Metal.

In one of the most memorable moments of season 1, Sweet Tooth, portrayed by Samoa Joe and voiced by Will Arnett, drives his iconic ice cream truck down a street, leaving bystanders in shock and terror. This scene, reportedly filmed on LaPlace's main street, featured genuine reactions from the town's inhabitants. Thus, the Twisted Metal producers effectively utilized one Louisiana city and its surrounding suburbs to bring the world of the video game series to life.

Source: The Cinemaholic and Sportskeeda