Summary
After the first season laid the groundwork for a more faithful take on the games, my interest inTwisted Metalseason 2 just shot right up thanks to some perfect casting news. Having been burned by most video game adaptations in the past (Doom, Netflix’sResident Evil), I went into Peacock’sTwisted Metalwith trepidation. It’s not like the series needed to be faithful to any one title - considering each game essentially reboots the story anyway - but capturing their unique anarchic tone and humor was always going to be a challenge.
While the series could have used more action and a tighter storyline, it was still good fun, with Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz making for appealing leads. The first season didn’t have much in the way of vehicular carnage, butTwisted Metal’sendingestablished the titular demolition derby itself would appear in the second season. Not only that, it promised to introduce classic characters like Axel, Mr Grimm andthe evil host of “Twisted Metal” itself, Calypso.
All 20 Video Game Characters In Twisted Metal Season 1
Peacock’s Twisted Metal TV series makes many changes to the cult video game franchise, but it still features many of the same characters.
Anthony Carrigan Has Been Cast As Calypso In Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal’s biggest villain will finally appear
The finale of season 1 gave a brief Calypso tease, and I couldn’t be happier with the news Anthony Carrigan has been cast in the role. For the uninitiated,Calypso is the antagonist of every game in the series and organizer of theTwisted Metaltournament. In exchange for risking their lives and putting on a good show for him, the winner of any given tournament will be granted their heart’s greatest desire by Calypso.
Twisted Metalmight offer a more grounded take on the tournament’s host, but regardless, Anthony Carrigan’s casting as Calypso has made me doubly excited for what happens next.
The games usually portray Calypso as a demonic figure and the wishes he grants come with some ironic twistthat results in their doom. For instance, Sweet Tooth’s wish in the 2012’sTwisted Metalgame was to be reunited with the only one of his victims who escaped; when Calypso grants his wish, it’s revealed that said victim had died years before and Sweet Tooth is left buried alive with her body.
I can’t wait to see howthe upcomingTwisted Metalseason 2uses Calypso, and if it stays true to his supernatural nature. Despite all the outlandish action and characters featured during Peacock’s series, there was nothing to suggest the supernatural also existed. The show might offer a more grounded take on the tournament’s host, but regardless, Anthony Carrigan’s casting as Calypso has made me doubly excited for what happens next.
Anthony Carrigan’s Past Roles Prove Why He’s A Great Fit For A Twisted Metal Villain
Twisted Metal could use some of that NoHo Hank energy
Calypso by his very nature is a shadowy figure, but Carrigan’s casting suggests he’ll have more screen time in the live-actionTwisted Metal.Carrigan’s most famous role by far is NoHo Hank from HBO’sBarry, a Chechen mobster whose unfailingly sunny attitude made him the breakout character. Carrigan was incredible on the show and could bring some of that same energy to the Calspso character, especially when he’s trying to convince drivers to take part in his death race.
The only game where Calypso himself was a playable character wasTwisted Metal 4.
Of course, Carrigan has other standout roles in his filmography. I loved his memorable take onBatmanvillain Victor Zsasz in Gotham, which felt like a prototype for his turn as NoHo Hank. That said, he was more menacing onGotham, soa combination of Zsasz and NoHo Hank would make for a great take on Calypso. I’m just excited to see what he does with the part, since there’s no real template for how Calypsoshouldbe played.
How Twisted Metal Teased Calypso’s Role In Season 2
Twisted Metal’s season finale teased the titular tournament
Devotees of the games were irritated that Peacock’sTwisted Metaltook so many detours (sorry) from series formula, and the absence of the actual tournament. What delighted me about the ending was realizing that all of season 1 had been a prequel. Mackie’s John Doe served as a tour guide that introduced viewers to the world and characters, butnow the prequel homework is done, the upcoming second season can deliver the explosive mayhem inherent to the games. The final scenes ofTwisted Metaleven saw Calypso (from behind) as he silently laid out the contenders for his contest.
Exactly how season 2 will frame the story is another question. I’m expecting a lot more in the way of races, but ten episodes of constant action would be dull. The new season will likely combine the character-based drama of the first series with the frenetic action of the games. That sounds like a hard balance, but the casting of an actor like Anthony Carrigan gives me faith the second season will deliver theTwisted Metaladaptation I always wanted to see.
