Convention - SDCC 2025 : Twisted Metal Season Two: Peacock’s High-Octane Chaos Crashes Into San Diego Comic-Con with Grit, Glory, and Glorious Mayhem

By Mulder, 10 july 2025

When Michael Jonathan Smith, Rhett Reese, and Paul Wernick took on the herculean task of adapting the Twisted Metal video game franchise into a streaming series, few could have anticipated the kind of chaotic charm and surprising resonance the Peacock series would deliver. And yet, with the first season having carved out its place in the pop-culture freeway, the engines are revving for Twisted Metal Season Two, which isn’t just returning to Peacock—it’s crashing full throttle into San Diego Comic-Con with a three-day immersive experience and a much-anticipated preview panel that promises to raise adrenaline levels and break a few bumpers in the process. The twisted carnival begins on Thursday, July 24, where fans will not only witness a sneak peek of the new season in Ballroom 20, with stars like Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Seanoa, and Anthony Carrigan in attendance, but also get to live the madness through the Twisted Metal Bumper Battle experience. An homage to the Calypso-hosted demolition tournament at the heart of Season Two, this public event transforms downtown San Diego into a post-apocalyptic arena where fans can drive reimagined bumper cars based on iconic series vehicles, pose for gritty photo ops, and witness tangible pieces of the show’s vehicular lore up close. As is fitting for a franchise known for weaponized ice cream trucks and violent wish fulfillment, chaos will be the guest of honor.

Following a breakout first season that embraced its lowbrow charm with gory glee and tongue-in-cheek performances, Twisted Metal Season Two amps up both the stakes and the absurdity. Picking up after the revelations of Season One’s finale, Anthony Mackie’s John Doe and Stephanie Beatriz’s Quiet find themselves competing in the legendary Twisted Metal tournament, helmed by none other than the diabolical Anthony Carrigan as Calypso—a character who, much like the video game version, promises wishes with ironic consequences. This new season introduces even more blood-splattered spectacle with familiar and new faces, most notably the return of the hulking clown Sweet Tooth, once again brought to life by the formidable physicality of Joe Seanoa and the manic voice of Will Arnett. And in a narrative twist, John Doe’s emotional arc deepens when he reunites with his long-lost sister, Dollface, the vigilante with secrets and scars of her own. From emotionally charged reunions to high-speed combat, the new season is poised to merge character drama with vehicular carnage like never before.

The Comic-Con sneak peek isn’t just a fan treat—it’s also a carefully calculated celebration of Twisted Metal’s cult legacy and its surprising ascent to mainstream success. Developed originally as a PlayStation vehicular combat game back in 1995, the franchise was notorious for its gritty tone, black comedy, and sadistic creativity. That spirit, preserved and evolved through Michael Jonathan Smith’s writing and showrunning, finds new expression in Season Two, which spans twelve 30-minute episodes and premieres July 31 with three back-to-back installments. The rest will follow weekly, a throwback to appointment-viewing TV and a smart way to build suspense in a show where cliffhangers come with flamethrowers. The season was shot in Toronto after the production team moved from the steamy chaos of New Orleans, where Season One dealt with lightning delays, hurricane threats, and unruly stunt vehicles. This time, filming wrapped earlier than expected, despite ambitious setpieces that transformed Cambridge City Hall into "New San Francisco" and a closed-down bakery into a warzone.

What gives Twisted Metal its distinct, revved-up energy isn’t just the explosive stunts or flashy vehicles—though those are certainly part of the appeal—it’s the unexpected emotional texture beneath the madness. Anthony Mackie gives John Doe a blend of cocky swagger and hidden vulnerability, a performance that anchors the absurdity in something recognizable. Stephanie Beatriz, as the gruff and stoic Quiet, brings a dynamic tension to their odd-couple chemistry. The addition of Anthony Carrigan as Calypso injects a new layer of menace, and the returning ensemble—Lisa Gilroy, Richard de Klerk, Patty Guggenheim, and Tiana Okoye—promises a rich web of supporting chaos. Notably, the music composed by Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson, soaked in the industrial grit and nu-metal energy of early-2000s soundscapes, perfectly complements the series’ grimy aesthetic. And in keeping with the show’s game roots, each episode is packed with arena-like action and ironic narrative payoffs, echoing the "be careful what you wish for" morality of the games.

The Twisted Metal panel at Comic-Con, moderated by Perri Nemiroff, is more than just a tease for fans—it’s a victory lap for a series that has overcome skepticism, leaned into its gonzo identity, and delivered something rare: a video game adaptation that works because it embraces the chaos. Despite some critical shrugs—Rotten Tomatoes sits at 67%, Metacritic at 55—the audience has spoken with their clicks and binge habits. After all, this was Peacock’s most-binged comedy premiere at launch, and Nielsen clocked 400 million viewing minutes on its opening weekend. Not bad for a franchise born in 32-bit combat arenas and once left for dead after failed game reboots and cancelled spin-offs. And while Twisted Metal may never carry the prestige of The Last of Us, it isn’t trying to. It’s the shotgun-riding, gasoline-fueled cousin in the PlayStation adaptation family—dirty, loud, hilarious, and unashamed.

As Twisted Metal barrels into its second season and Comic-Con spectacle, it carries with it decades of evolution—from David Jaffe’s original video game creation to failed film pitches and even a Ralph Breaks the Internet parody. Through all that, its core ethos has remained unchanged: wish fulfillment at a cost, delivered via bullets and burnout. And now, with Anthony Mackie and a powerhouse cast steering the wheel, Twisted Metal doesn’t just live—it thrives, exploding across our screens and into San Diego with reckless abandon. Fans lining up at The Lot @ 1st & J for the bumper car battle won’t just be reliving childhood games—they’ll be stepping into a live-action fever dream that proves once and for all: chaos, when curated well, is the purest form of entertainment.

Thursday, July 24-Saturday July 26  : twisted metal bumper battle  
When: Thursday, July 24 – Saturday, July 26 
Hours:  Thursday, July 24th 12PM - 4PM , Friday, July 25th 12PM - 6PM , Saturday, July 26th 12PM – 6PM 
Where: THE LOT @ 1ST & J - 450 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 
Event is free and open to the public. No badge required. Entry and bumper car participation are first come, first served, and not guaranteed. Waivers must be signed by all riders and passengers.  

Thursday, July 24  : sneak peek at Peacock’s action-comedy twisted metal season two   
When : 3:00 – 4:00 PM PT 
Where: Ballroom 20 

Saturday, july 26  : peacock’s twisted metal season two: special advance screening 
When : 10:00 – 11:15 PM PT 
Where : Room 6DE 

Synopsis : 
Following the revelations in the season one finale, John and Quiet find themselves entering the deadly Twisted metal tournament, a sinister demolition derby hosted by a mysterious man known as Calypso. As they try to survive an onslaught of dangerous new foes and familiar faces alike, including the murderous clown Sweet Tooth, things get complicated for John when he reunites with his long-lost sister, the vigilante Dollface.

Twisted Metal
Based on Twisted Metal by Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developed by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and Michael Jonathan Smith
Showrunner : Michael Jonathan Smith
Starring Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Seanoa, Will Arnett, Thomas Haden Church
Music by Leo Birenberg, Zach Robinson
Executive producers : Michael Jonathan Smith, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Anthony Mackie, Will Arnett, Marc Forman, Jason Spire, Kitao Sakurai, Peter Principato, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, Hermen Hulst
Cinematography : James McMillan
Editors : Michael Giambra, Heather Capps, Travis Sittard
Running time : 23–32 minutes
Production companies : Wicked Deed, Reese Wernick Productions, Make It with Gravy, Inspire Entertainment, Electric Avenue, Artists First, PlayStation Productions, Universal Television, Sony Pictures Television Studios
Network : Peacock (United States)
Release July 27, 2023 – present