Twisted Metal hijacked Captain America’s ad blitz, appropriately enough

Apparently, someone at Peacock noticed that Anthony Mackie is all over billboards, TV spots, and movie screens right now, with the release of Captain America: Brave New World, in which he stars as the new Captain America. The streaming service took advantage by releasing its first teaser trailer for season 2 of Twisted Metal, the video game derived post-apocalyptic series starring Mackie as a delivery driver in a wasteland full of over-the-top characters who love to go fast and blow things up.

The first season of the show, released in 2023, is mostly setup: It introduces Mackie as a down-to-earth, largely easygoing driver who’s as much of an idealist as you can be in a scarcity-driven world dominated by armed enclaves, and populated by character types like the evil machete-wielding clown Sweet Tooth. The final episode of the season finally leans in to the twisted-metal promises of the title, in a free-for-all vehicular battle full of improvised weapons and big explosions. The whole season is really just backstory, though: It’s all lead-up for the big death-race hinted at in the season 2 teaser, organized by Twisted Metal series baddie Calypso, on screen for the first time after being a whispered rumor throughout season 1.

The trailer doesn’t reveal a release date for the Peacock-exclusive series, just a “summer 2025” window. Here’s Peacock’s summary:

The stakes couldn’t be higher as John Doe (Anthony Mackie) and Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) risk their lives to compete in a dangerous demolition derby tournament. The prize? A single wish, their greatest heart’s desire, granted. The only problem is sixteen other drivers have wishes of their own. Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz lead a stellar cast, including Will Arnett & Joe Seanoa (aka Samoa Joe) as fan favorite Sweet Tooth, and Anthony Carrigan as the iconic tournament host Calypso, in a fast-paced, hysterical, thrilling season with unforgettable characters. It’s too bad not all of them will survive. 

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.