Twisted Metal Tournament Is Inspired by Cobra Kai and Squid Game in Season 2, Says Creator

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In the second season of “Twisted Metal”, survival is crucial. Two years ago, the climax of the first season saw John Doe, a former milkman played by Anthony Mackie, and Quiet, portrayed by Stephanie Beatriz, fatally confront psychopathic officer Agent Stone at Midtown Raceway. Raven, played by Neve Campbell, attempted to lure the amnesiac John Doe with insights into his past, but ultimately recruited him for the titular destruction derby: Twisted Metal, a competition where the sole rule is survival.

Raven explained about the prize given by the enigmatic Calypso (Anthony Carrigan), “Whoever wins gets their deepest longing fulfilled, their ultimate dream realized.” She continued, “You’ll assist me in winning, and to do that, you’ll need to get behind the wheel and transform every vehicle and competitor you encounter into a blazing heap of mangled wreckage. You will drive, John Doe, and you will emerge victorious.

As a gamer in season 2, I team up with John, embarking on the lethal Twisted Metal tournament. We’re battling waves of fresh threats and familiar adversaries, such as the homicidal clown Sweet Tooth (portrayed by Samoa Joe and Will Arnett), the ruthless Axel (Michael James Shaw), the cunning Vermin (Lisa Gilroy), and my long-lost sister – the masked crusader, Dollface (Tiana Okoye).

Michael Jonathan Smith, the showrunner behind this series (co-created with Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick), emphasizes during interviews that it’s crucial for viewers to empathize with the characters. He explains, “We’re establishing a unique post-apocalyptic world in our storytelling. We aim to make you familiar with how this world functions, how our characters operate within it, and how John and Quiet’s relationship and emotional bond drive the narrative.

Smith explained, “Our goal was to create something that would qualify for the tournament, making its participation meaningful. This way, when the tournament begins, it feels familiar and enjoyable. It’s like walking into the tournament knowing the context, characters, and now we can have a good time. I wonder what it feels like for everyone to gather in one place? What must it be like for them to face life-or-death situations? And what is it like for them to have ambitions and desires? That’s what makes these games special; each character has their own motivation.

Smith additionally explained that one factor contributing to the delay of the main event in the second season was financial considerations. “I’ve discovered that the tournament is quite costly,” he humorously remarked.

Regarding the [Twisted Metal] competition,” Smith expressed, “I’m determined to get it just right.” He further explained that in their production, “[SHNGRLA] aims to evoke the spirit of the tournament without conducting a traditional round. The message is clear: ‘We’re not done yet, we’ll do more.’

Speaking about the competition within the show, the previous writer and producer of Cobra Kai compared it to various action-packed events such as the martial arts tournament in the movie “Bloodsport” starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, the high-risk car racing series “Death Race”, and the popular Netflix series “Squid Game”, all of which revolve around dangerous games.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but draw some parallels with my favorite shows when discussing our upcoming tournament. There’s definitely a touch of Bloodsport and Squid Game in the structure we’ve designed, which I found intriguing in both series. I spent quite a while working on Cobra Kai, so I’m no stranger to tournaments, and we’re definitely taking some inspiration from our writing there. We’re also diving deep into Death Race films for inspiration, pulling ideas from various sources, of course, including the classic Twisted Metal games. In essence, we’re blending elements from these popular titles while ensuring our creation remains uniquely us. So, what would be the Twisted Metal take on these concepts?

In the upcoming season 2 of “Twisted Metal”, Smith hinted that it will become even more wild and extravagant. The 16-member roster includes familiar faces like Stu (Mike Mitchell), Chuckie Floop (André Dae Kim), Mr. Grimm (Richard de Klerk), Deacon (Tyler Johnston), and Mayhem (Saylor Bell Curda).

Smith mentioned that there are 16 characters participating initially in the tournament. To ensure each character is engaging, they’re focusing on developing a storyline or arc for all of them. He added that not every character may be included this season, but it doesn’t rule out future opportunities.

He mentioned that they’re always welcome to return, given it’s a game called ‘Twisted Metal.’ However, the focus is on who are the most intriguing characters for John and Quiet to converse with, and what combinations are thrilling? Currently, we have John and Quiet engaging with Sweet Tooth. Meanwhile, Sweet Tooth and Stu are encountering different characters like the Holy Men. How does this interaction unfold?

During the tournament, John and Quiet take center stage, but the storyline gradually evolves into an ensemble piece. Additional characters such as Vermin, a newcomer, start interacting with long-time character Sweet Tooth. There’s also a history between Sweet Tooth and Grimm that we’re developing, making it more about what’s beneficial for the show and what will be most captivating to viewers.

Twisted Metal season 2 premieres July 31 on Peacock.

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2025-07-28 21:10