With the premiere of Twisted Metal Season 2 approaching on July 31st via Peacock, Anthony Mackie, who stars as John Doe (also known as The Milkman) and serves as an executive producer, is warning fans that the new season holds more surprises than they might expect. Speaking during a set visit last summer while filming was underway, Mackie shared detailed insights about the season’s direction, character developments, behind-the-scenes challenges, and the show’s distinctive approach to adapting the iconic video game series.
Twisted Metal originally stems from Sony’s popular combat racing games, set against a dystopian backdrop where contestants engage in deadly demolition derbies. Although Season 1 focused heavily on character introduction and world-building, it notably did not feature the infamous Twisted Metal tournament that defines the game series. Season 2 promises to deliver that action-packed tournament alongside a deeper dive into the show‘s characters and storyline.
Evolution of John Doe: From Outlaw to New San Francisco Citizen
Anthony Mackie elaborated on how his character John Doe’s life shifts dramatically in the upcoming season. Unlike Season 1, where John was essentially a chaotic ‘milkman‘ running wild through the streets, Season 2 introduces a new environment and lifestyle for him. Mackie explained,
This season picks up with John — he’s now a citizen of New San Francisco, so it’s like a new way of life, a new beat,
the actor said.
At first, he was a ‘milkman’ running in the streets, and just a terror. And now he’s in f—ing New San Francisco. So he’s hanging out with the regular guys, and he’s wearing polos, and he has a shower. So, life is different. Over the course of the season, we get to see how that affects him, how that’s made him different.
Mackie further reflected on John’s personal growth, likening it to the transition from adolescent freedom to structured adulthood.
Well, I think if you saw the first season, you realize how John was more of a man-child,
he said.
He was like an adult in a play land that just happened to be the world, and now he’s in a structured complex that’s his new reality. It’s almost like when you left for college, those holidays you would come back home and lose your f—ing mind, your freshman and sophomore year, that’s kind of become John’s life. Right now, he’s moved into this structured world, but he still yearns to be the old John, the fun of being the milkman, the wide open space. It’s just, you know, learning the two ways of existing, and conforming to the new while craving the old.
He also emphasized how Season 2 explores John’s identity beyond the game’s simplistic violence.
That means you will learn a lot about John Doe,
Mackie said.
When you look at this IP, Twisted Metal gives no backstory, no nothing. It’s just like, ‘People are trying to f— people up,’ right? With us, the fun that we have with this series is creating a reason why you want to f— people up. So it’s kind of like a blank slate. With John, we get to… make this character three-dimensional and real in many different ways, and make him a human being. So this season you’ll learn a lot about who John is and what kind of human being he is.
Anthony Mackie’s Perspective on Video Game Adaptations in Hollywood
Although Mackie is not a veteran gamer, he appreciates storytelling regardless of the medium. When discussing the flood of video game adaptations in film and television, he did not hold back his critique of Hollywood’s current mindset. Mackie suggested that studios are playing it safe due to economic pressures and a scarcity of original ideas.
To be honest, I think there’s a shortage of fresh and new ideas,
he stated.
I think there’s so many people who are unwilling to go out on a limb and try something different and creative. Now it’s just like, we need established IP. As we’ve learned, no matter what it is, if it does not have the word I in the title, it’s f—ing dead — So AI, IP, L-M-N-O-I-P, whatever the hell you want, it has to have I in the title. So the IP part of it, I think, is a big sell.
He pointed out that industry executives favor projects with built-in audiences to minimize risks:
People in this business — we don’t want to see if something works,
Mackie said.
We want something with an already built-in audience. So if it doesn’t work, we can go to our boss and say, ‘Hey, it was justified,’ you know, so the mouse can’t fire you. It’s just what the business is turning into.
Introducing the Long-Awaited Twisted Metal Tournament and New Characters
Fans of the original game series had expressed disappointment that Season 1 omitted the Twisted Metal tournament. This gap will be filled dramatically in Season 2 with a roster of sixteen fresh characters, each paired with unique cars and signature mayhem. Mackie highlighted the production team’s commitment to a practical effects-heavy approach, minimizing CGI to create a more tangible and authentic experience.
Well, the tournament is this season… So we have like 16 new characters, and 16 new cars and crazy s—,
he revealed.
The car team is really going above and beyond. We used CGI as little as possible, so a lot of the stuff, we’re doing practically. I feel like it gives it a really cool, interesting look. It gives it a feel that you normally wouldn’t get in something like this, because they would just make it look weird with CGI.
Mackie also praised the ensemble, noting strong additions to the cast that raise the stakes further.
I feel like last year we had a really great cast, and this year I feel like we kind of stepped on that in the same way,
he said proudly.
We just got really good new actors, and I’m excited for them and their performances to show. Like, Anthony Carrigan — to get him was a huge coup. When we got that announcement that he was signing on, it was just a great opportunity to pepper the cast with new and interesting and fun and really good actors.
On-Set Stunts: Collaboration and Safety First
Mackie discussed the demanding nature of filming action scenes involving cars and weapons, emphasizing the importance of teamwork with stunt professionals. He acknowledged limits to his physical involvement, deferring dangerous maneuvers to experts to ensure safety on set.
I have a great stunt man and a great stunt driver, and as a team, the three of us work really well together. We look out for each other and make sure, you know, none of us are blown up.
He humorously recalled the team’s insistence on keeping stunts within his skill level:
They made it very clear that, you know, ‘Leave Tom Cruise s— to Tom Cruise,’
Mackie said, laughing.
‘There’s no reason for you to be out here flipping cars. We look like you, and this is how we make a living. F— off.’ So they made that very clear, like, they tapped me out.
Mackie recounted a recent stunt performed by his driver, Aaron, who executed a car roll:
Last week we were doing this stunt and my driver, Aaron, he did his first roll,
he shared.
He literally just blew up a car rolling down the street. I was like, ‘Man, I could do that.’ He goes, ‘What are you doing?’ He showed me a video, and he’s like, ‘Look at my kids. Do you love my kids? Remember the gift you sent my kids? Yeah. Okay, sit the f— down.’ Got it. So, you know, we just have a good work of our relationship. We appreciate each other.
Unpacking the Complex Relationship With Sweet Tooth
Another fascinating aspect of the series is the dynamic between John Doe and the infamous Sweet Tooth, voiced by Will Arnett and physically portrayed by professional wrestler Joe Seanoa, also known as Samoa Joe. On set, Mackie confessed that despite their friendship, the wrestler’s imposing presence still intimidates him, a tension mirrored in their characters’ interactions.
Sweet Tooth always gonna Sweet Tooth, and it’s still the same relationship,
Mackie admitted.
I’m still deathly afraid of Joe. You know, I just, I know we’re friends, we hang out, but I don’t think he likes me! The s— he does to me in real life… So this is the hard part: he’s always oiled up, right? But he’s always like, ‘Hey, brah!’ So I always have these smudges of oil. It’s just like Sweet Tooth nipple in your eyes. It’s a disaster.
He added that their characters’ rivalry continues unabated, humorously drawing a comparison to the cartoon duo Pinky and the Brain.
It’s the same relationship,
Mackie said.
What are you going to do, like, push him off? What are you going to do, hit him? No, you’re going to run. So it’s just, it’s that Pinky in the Brain relationship. But I’m not sure which one I am.
Looking Ahead to the Season 2 Premiere
As Twisted Metal Season 2 prepares to drop on Peacock, viewers can expect an intense blend of character-driven drama and high-octane action facilitated by practical effects and a diverse new cast. Mackie’s revelations highlight the show’s commitment to expanding the narrative beyond simple violence, grounding it in complex human motivations and relationships. With the much-anticipated inclusion of the Twisted Metal tournament, fresh characters, and compelling stunts, Season 2 promises to redefine the adaptation’s energy and depth.
Streaming of the first season is already available on Peacock, making it an ideal time for fans new and old to catch up before the new episodes air weekly starting July 31st.
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