At this time when adaptations of video games become popular and multiply, Twisted Metal is undoubtedly the most original of all. Made possible thanks to his showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith, he spoke on the set in an exclusive interview on the occasion of the release of season 2 on Cine+ OCS.
With its cocktail of action, humor and destruction,Twisted Metal has imposed itself as a separate series in the landscape of video game adaptations. After a first season as barred as it is qualitative, the series returns to Cine+ OCS for a second season which promises to be even more explosive. As a bonus, the first episode will be accessible to everyone, even the non-bodies wishing to discover the universe.
On the occasion of the promotion of these new episodes, we met Michael Jonathan Smith, the show’s showrunner, who told us with passion about his inspirations, behind the scenes of filming and what the rest has. Spoiler Alert: there will be fire, crumpled sheet, and probably a little love.
Twisted Metal: an adaptation like no other
The adaptation of such a video game is far from being the most obvious, because as a reminder, Twisted Metal It is a game of cars equipped with various flame launcher cannons, blades … with the aim of destroying its opponents in an arena. Let’s be honest, it is clearly not the narration where finesse takes precedence. However, the showrunner managed to create a unique universe with its own story. When asked for his definition of this adaptation of Twisted Metal Beyond his similarity with the video game himself, Michael Jonathan Smith sketches a malicious smile before letting go of a description that summarizes the DNA of the series alone:
“I always describe it as a mixture between“ zombieland ”,“ Mad Max ”with a little touch of“ When Harry meets Sally ”, but as if Sally was flying Harry’s car and fled with it.”
This clever dosage between post-apocalyptic chaos, absurdity and offbeat romance perfectly sums up the spirit of Twisted Metal. For this season 2, the director continued to draw on his most unexpected references:
“For season 2, I also had other inspirations with car films like” Bullitt “, the films” Is there a cop … “for the absurd side or even anime like” Dragon Ball Z “of which we find elements in the tournament.”
Yes, you read that right: Dragon Ball Z. And just watch an episode of this new season to understand what it means. Between dramatic slow motion, howls in the middle of the chase and the explosions as numerous as monumental, we feel that Smith wanted to transform his post-apocalyptic playground into a crazy shonen arena.
Real explosions at Mad Max
In a time when green funds sometimes make more hours than the actors, Michael Jonathan Smith made a radical choice: to favor practical effects. Old -fashioned. With real cars. Real explosions. And real technicians running everywhere.
“In Mad Max, they used a lot of practical effects and I really wanted the same thing for Twisted Metal, that you have the impression that the cars were really there. We had 16 full -time cars on the set with explosions from everywhere.”
The result feels and shows on the screen: the dust is true, the sheet is really bending, and the flames are nothing digital. An artistic choice … but also pyrotechnic, as the showrunner confirms:
“The guy responsible for special effects told me that he had farted more stuff in 3 months of filming with me than during his last 10 years of career.”
And the most spectacular scene? Probably the one who literally ignited Reddit:
“We produced such a gigantic explosion during the shooting in Toronto, that a Subreddit began to talk about it by theorizing all about its provenance.”
No, it was not a military test or an attack, just a normal Monday on the set of Twisted Metal.
A tailor -made casting
If the series works so well, it is also thanks to its central duo: Anthony Mackie in John Doe, amnesiac delivery man with a disarming smile, and Stephanie Beatriz in Quiet, taciturn and formidable killer. For Smith, the two actors were obvious.
“I’ve been a fan of them for a very long time. Anthony has a huge charisma, he’s funny, end with a Winner smile which perfectly suits John Doe, who uses comedy to survive.
And it is true that Mackie’s humor – somewhere between bravery and despair – gives unexpected humanity to a universe where people fight with machine guns mounted on food trucks. As for Quiet, she remains one of the most unique characters in the series and for the showrunner, there was only one person capable of playing it:
“I am a huge fan of Brooklyn Nine Nine and in this series [Stephanie Beatriz] is so expressive with her face while remaining impassive. I needed something like that to play Quiet, which remains silent for a good part of the show. I love Stephanie and she is perfect for this role. ”
A perfectly complementary duo, which works both in action scenes and in the (rare) moments of tenderness which should still make sparks in the suite …
A duo who has not finished rolling
Season 2 is obviously only a step in Michael Jonathan Smith’s plan to deliver us always more motorized chaos:
“I already have tons of ideas for season 3 and I even know where season 4 could go.”
A statement that will delight fans, especially since the end of season 2, without revealing anything, suggests new horizons for John Doe, Quiet, and the ruthless universe of Twisted Metal. We are talking about an even more denied tournament, new drivers with sweet (or very hard) madness, and a wishes that is achieved.
Between barred universes, tributes assumed at the action cinema, and series explosions, Twisted Metal continues to trace its road against the tide, thoroughly and without compromise. As a reminder, the series is available today on Cine+ OCS. Not a subscriber yet? Come and discover the first episode of Twisted Metal season 2 for free!
