An adaptation of the live-action series from the PlayStation “Twisted Metal” game franchise is officially moving forward, Variety Learned.
Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions are developing a series based on the vehicular combat games “Twisted Metal”, 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 version of Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the writers behind the films “Deadpool” and “Zombieland”.
“‘Twisted Metal’ is one of the most beloved franchises on PlayStation,” said Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions. “We are thrilled to have such a great team working to bring this iconic game to life for fans.”
The show is about an outsider who speaks in a motorized way who is offered the chance for a better life, but only if he can deliver a mysterious package in a post-apocalyptic desert. With the help of a car thief on the trigger, he will face wild looters driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers from the open road, including a crazy clown named who drives a very familiar ice cream truck, which game fans will know as Sweet Tooth .
Michael Jonathan Smith, who most recently wrote and produced “Cobra Kai, will write and executive produce the series. Reese and Wernick are linked to executive production. Will Arnett will be the executive producer for his production company Electric Avenue, along with Marc Forman and Peter Principato of Artists First. Arnett is currently under an initial agreement on Sony Pictures Television. PlayStation Productions’ Qizilbash and Carter Swan will also serve as executive producers, as will Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios.
There has been speculation that Arnett will voice Sweet Tooth in a cameo, but according to a person with knowledge of the project, no deal is closed for him to do so.
Smith is represented by Verve, 3Arts and Miloknay Weiner. Reese and Wernick are represented by the WME. Arnett is represented by WME, Artists First and Sloane Offer.
This is the second high-profile project by Sony Pictures TV and PlayStation Productions in recent months. An adaptation for the series “The Last of Us” was commissioned on HBO, with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in “Game of Thrones” as the protagonist.
“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 hit the ground running with a brilliant, fun, action-packed adaptation, and we are grateful for the support of Rhett, Paul, Will and our PlayStation friends.”