Anthony Mackie Reveals Five Twisted Metal Season 2 Secrets From the Set

by

The second season of “Twisted Metal” is fast approaching, with Anthony Mackie hinting that viewers might not be fully prepared for what’s in store. As an executive producer and star (John Doe/The Milkman), Mackie has unique insights to share before the season debut. During a visit to the set last summer while Season 2 was being filmed, Mackie spoke with journalists including ComicBook. He dished out some tantalizing previews for the season, as well as revealing production details and his views on effectively adapting video games into television series. All this serves as engaging background information ahead of the Season 2 premiere on July 31st on Peacock.

Twisted Metal is a game series by Sony, known for its combat racing, that was last seen on PlayStation 3. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where deadly demolition derbies are the main event. However, the first season didn’t delve into the notorious Twisted Metal tournament. In Season 2, they’re finally exploring that aspect, and Mackie is happy that they’ve taken time to develop the characters and story before jumping into the racing action. Here are five insights we gleaned from Mackie on set.

John Doe in Season 2

In an interview about his character’s progression from Season 1 to Season 2, Mackie suggested there are significant changes yet to unfold. He described John as having settled in New San Francisco, which represents a fresh start and change of pace for him. Initially, John was a chaotic figure running rampant on the streets, but now he’s part of the regular crowd, wearing polos and even taking showers. As the season progresses, we will witness how this transformation has impacted him and altered his character.

Mackie explained later that if you watched the first season, it would be clear that John was more like a grown-up kid. He was similar to an adult who found himself in a playground that just happened to be the world, and now he’s living in a structured environment that is his new reality. It’s as if when you went off to college, you’d come back home for holidays and feel like you’d lost your mind during your freshman and sophomore years – that’s essentially what John’s life has become. Right now, he’s adjusting to this structured world, but he still misses the old John, the carefree life of being a milkman in an open space. Essentially, he’s learning to exist in two worlds at once, trying to adapt to the new while longing for the old.

In simpler terms, the actor explained that by watching this series, you’ll gain insights into John Doe’s character. Unlike the game Twisted Metal, our series provides a reason for wanting to cause harm. This season, we’re going to flesh out John’s character, making him more complex and realistic, revealing who he is as a person. So, you’ll get to know John on a deeper level this season.

Video Games and Hollywood

Mackie openly acknowledged that he’s not deeply involved in gaming but enjoys a compelling narrative from any source. Regarding the growing trend of video game adaptations in Hollywood, however, Mackie was straightforward. Similar to many others, he views this as a reflection of Hollywood executives’ unwillingness to take risks in today’s economic and cultural landscape.

He expressed that he believes there’s a lack of fresh and innovative thoughts because people are hesitant to take risks and try something original. Nowadays, it seems like we only focus on established intellectual properties (IP). As we’ve observed, anything without the word “I” in its title is essentially doomed—so whether you call it AI, IP, LMNOI, or whatever else, it must contain an ‘I’. Therefore, he thinks that the emphasis on IP is a significant barrier.

In this line of work, we prefer not to test whether something is effective. Instead, we seek projects with a pre-existing fanbase. That way, if a project fails, we can tell our superiors, “It was a calculated risk,” thus shielding ourselves from being let go. Essentially, that’s the direction the industry seems to be heading in.

Twisted Metal Tournament

Some supporters felt let down when Twisted Metal Season 1 failed to portray the famous tournament from the games, but Mackie believes they’ll be satisfied with Season 2. However, he subtly suggested that there are more exciting things for fans to anticipate in the upcoming episodes, and also shared some behind-the-scenes information about the show’s use of special effects.

This season is when our tournament takes place, and we’ve got an exciting 16 new characters and vehicles! The vehicle team has been putting in extra effort. Instead of relying heavily on computer-generated imagery (CGI), we’ve tried to do as much as possible practically. This approach gives the show a unique, intriguing aesthetic that you might not find in similar productions, as it avoids the ‘weird’ look often associated with excessive use of CGI.

He expressed that our team of performers last year was exceptional, but this year, he feels we might not have matched up to that level. However, he emphasized that we’ve brought on some fantastic new actors whom he’s thrilled about. For instance, Anthony Carrigan joining us is a significant achievement. When the news broke that he would be part of our cast, it opened up a wonderful opportunity to incorporate fresh, engaging, enjoyable, and exceptionally talented actors into our team.

Stunts and Teamwork

Regarding the practical effects in the film, Mackie made it clear that shooting scenes involving cars and weapons is far from simple. He didn’t hesitate to trust professionals for these tasks, stating, “I have an exceptional stunt performer and a skilled stunt driver. Together, we collaborate effectively. We prioritize each other’s safety, ensuring that none of us meet an explosive end.

Mackie’s moments of arrogance were effectively discouraged by his teammates. As he put it, “They basically said, ‘Hey, let Tom Cruise handle the action scenes. You don’t need to be flipping cars here. We’re just like you, and this is our job. Back off.'” Essentially, they made it clear that he should step aside, similar to how one might tap out in a fight.

A week ago, I was performing a dangerous trick, and my driver, Aaron, executed his initial roll. He actually exploded a car while rolling along the street. I thought to myself, “Wow, I could do that.” He asked me what I was up to. After showing me a video, he said, “Look at my children. Do you care about my kids? Remember the present you gave them? Yes. Alright, stay put.” Understood. So, as it turns out, we have a strong bond. We value our connection.

Last week, I was doing a dangerous stunt, and Aaron did his first roll by exploding a car down the street. I thought I could do it too, but he told me to stop. He showed me a video of his kids, reminded me of the gift I sent them, and asked me to stay put. We have a good working relationship.

Sweet Tooth

Mackie isn’t completely sure about his connection with the character Sweet Tooth, who is voiced by Will Arnett and portrayed by pro wrestler Joe Seanoa (also known as “Samoa Joe”). Mackie admitted that he remains somewhat intimidated by the wrestler on set, even when they get friendly. However, Mackie emphasized that John Doe’s fear of Sweet Tooth is genuine.

Sweet Tooth remains unchanged, and it’s the same situation,” he started. “I’m still terrified of Joe. Even though we’re friends and spend time together, I feel like he doesn’t really care for me. The things he does to me in reality… ‘ So I end up with smears of oil on me. It’s like having Sweet Tooth’s fingerprints all over my eyes. It’s a mess.

Mackie continued, shifting the focus back to their fictional roles instead of their real-life bond. “It’s the same dynamic,” he said, “Are you planning on shoving him or hitting him? Instead, you’ll flee. So it’s like the Pinky and the Brain duo, but I’m unsure which role I play.

The second season of “Twisted Metal” will debut on Thursday, July 31st, exclusively on Peacock, with new episodes airing every week. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can catch up with the first season that is currently available for streaming on Peacock.

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/twisted-metal-cancelled-ps5-playstation-game-details-images/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-28 19:52