Twisted Metal’s Mike Mitchell Talks Season 2, Stunts in the Wasteland, and More

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As a devoted fan of Peacock’s Twisted Metal, I didn’t expect Stu to be around for long given his initial portrayal as terror-stricken and less than competent compared to the other wasteland dwellers. However, his sharp wit, endearing charm, and even a bond with one of the franchise’s most infamous maniacs, Sweet Tooth, won us over. Now, in season 2, Stu finds himself at a critical juncture. He’s torn between joining Sweet Tooth in the Twisted Metal tournament or reconnecting with Mike (Tahj Vaughans), his old friend from another life. The answer to Stu’s dilemma will be revealed in the Season 2 finale of Twisted Metal, streaming on Peacock this Thursday, August 28th.

In Season 2 of this series, after the events in the final episode of Season 1, John and Quiet join a lethal car race called Twisted Metal, organized by a mysterious figure named Calypso. Throughout the tournament, they encounter a host of dangerous adversaries, both old and new, such as the homicidal clown Sweet Tooth. John’s life becomes even more intricate when he crosses paths with his estranged sister, Dollface, who is a vigilante.

During our chat with Mitchell, we discussed the upcoming season, executing thrilling stunts, and his preferred restaurant for an imaginative collaboration with the Twisted Metal franchise.

ComicBook: I do want to start with probably the most challenging question for you.

Mike Mitchell: Let me hear it.

I’m not going to hold back.

All right, bring it on.

What restaurant would make the best Twisted Metal tie-in menu?

This question is truly impressive! In the past, I’ve been particularly fond of establishments like Denny’s. Remarkably, they once offered a complete Hobbit-themed menu. Considering this, I find myself thinking… I host a food podcast called Doughboys, and for the entire month we’ve been discussing, we celebrated with a “Twisted Monthal.” We were brainstorming restaurants that could fit into our theme.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but picture myself and my friends as the twisted, intertwined gears of a machine, much like pretzels. We’re constantly thinking about things that can be tangled together, and this is where the concept of “Twisted Metal” comes in – it’s the first idea that springs to mind.

Now, imagine if Wetzel’s Pretzels teamed up with the creators of Twisted Metal for a promotion! That would be fantastic. But I yearn for more crossovers like this not just from TV and movies, but across various platforms.

I dream of a day when Chili’s restaurant offers a special “Twisted Metal” meal. Picture me racing to the nearest Chili’s, which is about a 35-minute journey away, to savor every bite of this unique culinary creation.

Preparing the spicy fajitas and playing Twisted Metal gives off an impression as if I’m dishing out frozen cream treats on a heated pan.

I’d love to see more fusion dishes like the “Stu Stew” becoming common, it seems like something that’s been missing from the fast food scene for a while now. I can’t help but wonder what caused this gap in variety over the past few decades.

Yeah, if anyone is oblivious to what’s going on in fast food, it’s definitely going to be you.

Do you have a pitch for the best Twisted Metal meal?

In other words, the most accessible choice among pretzels would be Auntie Anne’s, not Wetzel’s.

Of course, Auntie Anne’s has always been a favorite of mine, growing up in my area. Yet, I can’t help but also appreciate the charm of Little Caesar’s breadsticks. Perhaps a unique fusion could be created, maybe a pretzel-like twist on the breadstick or something similar that combines the best of both worlds.

We’ll come back. For Season 3, we’ll figure it out.

As a passionate gamer, I’d be thrilled to lend my skills pro bono for any quick-service restaurant daring enough to collaborate on a crossover with the iconic game Twisted Metal. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and cook up some exciting marketing campaigns that would leave both gamers and fast food enthusiasts hungry for more!

Upon learning about returning for Season 2 of Twisted Metal, what sparked the most enthusiasm within you? Was it the prospect of portraying Stu once more to further his story, or perhaps the reunion with the cast and crew that made your heart race with anticipation? What was it exactly that, upon hearing the news of the renewal, filled you with a sense of “I can’t wait”?

Playing this character is an absolute joy, and what’s even more exciting is how much fun we have while filming. Despite moving to different locations and losing touch with some crew members, we were still fortunate to meet up with old friends and welcome new ones. Some of the cast I already knew from the LA comedy scene, but this show is just so unpredictable!

As a devoted fan, I must say, whatever we’re about to create together is simply thrilling! This year, we had an unforgettable prom episode that was pure joy to participate in, with the excitement of donning prom attire being just one highlight. To make things even more exciting, Devon Sawa graced our set with his presence, and there were numerous unexpected elements added to the scripts that kept everyone on their toes. Shooting such episodes is always an exhilarating experience, and I can’t wait to see what adventures await us next!

Samoa Joe and I face challenges each season – we’ve been through two seasons already, and by the halfway point of Season 2, we knew we were up against it once more. Every day, we’re caked in dirt.

This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler language that is easy to read and understand.

I’m not sure if I relish the “dusty” part of it all. It’s enjoyable, but it means having dirt embedded under your nails every day, which leads to exhaustion by the end of the day, and then going out to eat at a restaurant, only to feel self-conscious about my appearance, thinking things like, “I look horrible. I seem unkempt,” or similar thoughts. In reality, however, the situations we’re filming and the whole experience is the most entertaining I’ve ever had while shooting anything, so I was really looking forward to returning and seeing what kind of mishaps Stuart would stumble into this season.

You’re fortunate to be able to blame your appearance on ‘I’m working on a television series,’ when dining out. Unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury, but keep enjoying it anyway.

In simpler terms, it’s not exactly pleasant to appear dirty as usual, but using a trailer shower only makes things worse. To clean up, we were blasted with Dawn Powerwash. It’s quite a strange experience. I’m filthy, covered in blood. When I look at photos from filming, I see myself, bare in my underwear and smeared with blood. Sitting inside the trailer, you’re surrounded by blood, wearing just your underwear, trying to detach yourself from reality by looking at your phone. It’s a wild situation indeed.

In a different phrasing: Regarding the prom episode, as a comedian by trade, do you feel more energized when you’re given opportunities to handle action scenes, which might be less familiar to you, or are you thrilled at the prospect of showcasing your comedic skills, since you have extensive experience in that area?

It’s clear that both situations are enjoyable. I don’t mind putting myself in embarrassing positions or attempting to challenge Joe, who I’ve never been able to beat. However, this year has been particularly amusing due to the numerous comedians and funny individuals on set. In fact, even Season 1 had its fair share of humor.

But what makes this year stand out is the addition of incredibly hilarious characters like Lisa Gilroy, Patty Guggenheim, Johnno Wilson, Tyler Johnston, and others. When you’re surrounded by such comedic talent, it motivates you to raise your own performance level, as you can imagine.

Notably, Jon Daly features in one of the episodes too.

In a simplified and conversational style:

There are countless hilarious individuals in the world, but what truly excites me is performing stunts. It’s an absolute blast! The best part is that even though Stu might not be the most precise while executing some of these actions, our exceptional stunt team ensures everything runs smoothly. What’s more, there are even seemingly simple tasks I never considered before-like choreographing fights with Dave from Wilson. On our days off, we would often practice and strive to make every move look impressive.

Hey there! Got to give a big shout-out to the fantastic Kevan Kase, my stand-in for all those jaw-dropping stunts. He stepped up magnificently as Stu and handled the thrilling falls that they wouldn’t let me attempt. Still, I gave it my best shot to do everything else!

“That’s a fantastic question, which also brings up another intriguing one. Can you tell me about your favorite stunt that you personally performed? Among real-life stunts, computer-generated imagery (CGI) and visual effects (VFX), what was the most electrifying and memorable experience for you?”

It’s really tough to beat having Johnno Wilson lick your foot. Thanks a lot, Johnno, that was nearly unbeatable.

No, I meant in filming the show.

As a thrill-seeker, let me share my exhilarating experience – riding those pod cars was nothing short of heart-pounding! Although it was downright terrifying at times, there was an undeniable adrenaline rush that made every moment worthwhile. Despite hating and loving it simultaneously, I can’t help but admit it was the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had.

The stunt drivers are the best in the business, ensuring you feel secure while enjoying this insane ride. Every twist, turn, and high-speed dash is an unforgettable spectacle that left me wanting more. If you get a chance to take this wild journey, don’t hesitate – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won’t want to miss!

In simpler terms, I often playfully wrestle with Joe. Despite my size, he makes me feel small by tossing me around effortlessly. Yet, it’s endearing because no one else can do that. He even picks me up and throws me against a truck sometimes, which is quite thrilling.

Have they asked him to join a wrestling match? Are you and Joe potentially set to make your wrestling debut against the ‘Costco guys’ or similar opponents?”

In this paraphrased version, I attempted to maintain the original meaning while making it more accessible and less informal. The phrase “in-ring debut” was replaced with “wrestling debut”, and “enlist you into the ring” was changed to “ask him to join a wrestling match”. Additionally, ‘Costco guys’ was kept as-is for brevity and humor, but it can be replaced with ‘opponents’ or ‘rivals’ if needed.

I’m quite excited about the prospect of handling… The Rizzler seems tailored for me. However, I’m not sure if I could measure up against AJ and Big Justice. To be honest, I wouldn’t relish the idea of squaring off against Big Justice. Frankly, I fear Big Justice. But no, Joe hasn’t brought it up yet. It would be a wish come true, but I believe it should be handled with care, considering that I might enter the ring, receive some heavy blows, possibly get knocked down… And then, just like in the show, Joe would have to intervene and save me.

Independent of the outcome of Stu’s storyline in Season 2, is there any aspect of his character that intrigues you and you’d like to delve deeper into? If by chance a Stu spinoff becomes a reality on Peacock, what scenarios or events would you be excited to witness unfolding for him?

Man, it seems like Stu could have his own drama series akin to “Better Call Saul”. I’m intrigued by the idea of exploring a more serious side of him. Delving deeper into Stu’s character and understanding how he evolves during the apocalypse and contributes to the survivor group would be fascinating. Although we’ve touched on his past, there’s so much untapped potential about who he is as an individual. I’d love for us to delve deeper into Stu, revealing not only the funny aspects but also uncovering the complexities of his personality. This wouldn’t necessarily aim to be as intense as “Better Call Saul”, but it would provide a richer understanding of Stu’s backstory and character development.

I am really excited about delving into similar topics like this one. The writing for this year has been exceptionally good, and I was utterly amazed by how much depth and content each episode contained, as well as the overall season. To even get screen time is an honor for me. I was thrilled to be part of the show, and I’m looking forward to what more we might uncover in Season 3.

It’s clear to me now; I envision the monochrome recollections from Better Call Saul featuring Stu on duty at a Wetzel’s Pretzels, discussing the “surprise” or twist.

I can visualize it clearly – the grayscale flashbacks in Better Call Saul where Stu is working at a Wetzel’s Pretzels, sharing details about the twist.

He stays put and doesn’t venture elsewhere. He enjoys the perks that come with being an employee, whether it’s the discount or something else. I really enjoy collaborating with everyone on set, but I have a special bond with Joe, and I can’t wait to see how our connection evolves as we work together.

The Season 2 finale of Twisted Metal debuts on Peacock on August 28th.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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2025-08-23 00:42