A live adaptation of the “Twisted Metal” PlayStation game franchise officially continues, Variety learned.
Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions are developing a series based on the “Twisted Metal” vehicle fighting games, the first of which was released in 1995. It was originally reported in 2019 that Sony was interested in developing a series based on the games.
The new series is described as an action comedy, based on an original recording by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the writers behind the ‘Deadpool’ films and ‘Zombieland’.
“Twisted Metal is one of PlayStation’s most beloved franchises,” said Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions. “We are delighted to have such an amazing team that brings this iconic game to life for the fans.”
The show is about an outsider with a mouth who offers a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package about a post-apocalyptic desert. With the help of a trigger-happy car thief, he will encounter vicious looters who drive vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a disturbed clown named who drives an all-too-famous ice cream truck, and the fans of the game known as Sweet Tooth.
Michael Jonathan Smith, who recently wrote and produced for ‘Cobra Kai’, will be writing and producing the series. Reese and Wernick are affiliated with executive products. Will Arnett will be producing through his Electric Avenue production company, along with Marc Forman and Peter Principato of Artists First. Arnett is currently under a deal at Sony Pictures Television for the first time. Qizilbash and Carter Swan of PlayStation Productions will also deliver executive production, as will Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios.
It is speculated that Arnett Sweet Tooth will vote in a cameo, but according to an individual with knowledge of the project, there is currently no agreement for him to do so.
Smith is fascinated by Verve, 3Arts and Miloknay Weiner. Reese and Wernick are detained by WME. Arnett is awarded by WME, Artists First and Sloane Offer.
This is the second sensational project from Sony Pictures TV and PlayStation Productions in recent months. A series adaptation of ‘The Last of Us’ has been commissioned from HBO, starring Pedro Pascal and ‘Game of Thrones’ outburst Bella Ramsey.
“We love Twisted Metal in all its twisted insanity,” said Glenn Adilman, executive vice president of comedy development at Sony Pictures Television. “Michael Jonathan Smith knocked it out of the park with an action-packed, brilliantly funny rendition and we’re grateful for the support of Rhett, Paul, Will and our friends at PlayStation.”