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Tag: Peacock

  • ‘Twisted Metal’ Series Adds Richard Cabral and Samoa Joe

    ‘Twisted Metal’ Series Adds Richard Cabral and Samoa Joe

    As the series based on the PlayStation video game franchise Twisted Metal continues its development for the Peacock streaming service, new castings have been revealed that help to round out the cast. Firstly, it was announced that the Emmy-nominated Richard Cabral will be portraying the role of Loud. The character is the overprotective brother of Quiet, who will be portrayed by Stephanie Beatriz. This will be Cabral’s first role since exiting FX’s Mayans M.C. earlier this month.

    It was also announced that Joe Seanoa, aka the professional wrestler Samoa Joe, will be portraying the physical form of Sweet Tooth. This will be a dual-portrayal of the character with Will Arnett slated to provide voice-over work for the role. Sweet Tooth is arguably the most popular and recognizable character from the Twisted Metal video games, known for being a prolific killer from his ice cream truck. Joe was officially written off of his current wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling on the latest episode of Dynamite with a shoulder injury angle this past Wednesday, which will provide him the time to physically inhabit the role of Sweet Tooth.

    In addition, actors Mike Mitchell, Tahj Vaghans, and Lou Beatty Jr have been cast as recurring characters in the upcoming series. Mitchell and Vaughans will be playing Stu and Mike respectively, who have been described as the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of the Twisted Metal universe. Meanwhile, Beatty Jr will play the experienced cartographer Tommy.

    These names join the already star-studded cast consisting of Anthony Mackie as John Doe, Thomas Haden Church as Agent Stone, and Neve Campbell as Raven. Production for the series began in late May and is set to complete by early September.

    Source: Deadline and Deadline

  • ‘Twisted Metal’ Adds Will Arnett as the Voice of Sweet Tooth

    ‘Twisted Metal’ Adds Will Arnett as the Voice of Sweet Tooth

    Arnett, who serves as an executive producer on the series, has long been rumored to be a part of it for some time. It wasn’t until today, however, that the actor was announced to be voicing none other than the burly Sweet Tooth. The chaos-loving character is known for his iconic ever-smiling clown mask and doomsday ice cream truck that he drives around Lost Vegas.

    The actor joins a cast that includes the likes of Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church, and Neve Campbell. Mackie is set to star as John Doe, while Beatriz plays the character of Quiet. Church will play Agent Stone and Campbell, who is recurring in the series, will play Raven.

    Twisted Metal hails from Cobra Kai writer Michael Jonathan Smith and is based on the classic video game franchise of the same name. It has been developed as a half-hour, high-octane action-comedy series that is based on an original take from Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. The series will focus on a motor-mouthed outsider, Mackie’s Doe, who is offered a chance at a better life with a bit of a caveat – he’ll need to deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland and survive.

    Twisted Metal will stream exclusively on Peacock upon its release.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Ted’ Series Rounds Out Cast With Alanna Ubach

    Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Ted’ Series Rounds Out Cast With Alanna Ubach

    Seth MacFarlane is seemingly reviving his popular Ted franchise, as a new series is heading to Peacock. MacFarlane is going to write, direct, and co-showrun all episodes of the series and is working with Modern Family‘s Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh on the series. They will also executive produce and co-showrun. The series has now finalized its cast with Euphoria’s Allanna Ubach joining the production.

    She will be playing a “kind, selfless, and almost pathologically sweet” character known as Susan Bennett. A character that sees the world through rose-colored glasses will surely collide with the outspoken teddy bear, Ted. Of course, MacFarlane is also returning to voice the titular character. Scott Grimes, George Whigham, and Max Burkholder round out the cast.

    The series will release on Peacock and has been long in development. The first film in the series was released ten years ago in 2012 with only one sequel hitting theaters in 2015. We haven’t heard much about the production in some time, but with the cast finalized, they may start production sooner rather than later. So, everyone whose been hoping for more Ted is in luck as the Peacock series is moving forward in full steam.

    Source: Deadline

  • Neve Campbell Joins Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal’ series

    Neve Campbell Joins Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal’ series

    The news comes courtesy of Deadline, with the outlet reporting that Campbell will join the series as Robin in a recurring role. She joins the previously announced Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz and Thomas Haden Church.

    Twisted Metal hails from Michael Jonathan Smith (Cobra Kai), who serves as the showrunner for the Peacock original. It is based on an original take by Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. The series focuses on a motor-mouthed outsider (Mackie) who is offered a chance at a better life if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. With the help of a trigger-happy car thief (Beatriz), he’ll face savage marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck.

    The Passage director Kitao Sakurai will helm multiple episodes of Twisted Metal.

    The series, which is being developed for Peacock, is based on the highly popular video game franchise of the same name. Twisted Metal is being produced by Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, and Universal Television. Also producing the title are Sakurai, Reese, Wernick, Will Arnett, and Marc Forman via their Electric Avenue production company, Jason Spire of Inspire Entertainment, Peter Principato of Artists First, Asad Qizilbash, and Carter Swan from PlayStation Productions, Hermen Hulst, Head of PlayStation Studios. Smith and Mackie also serve as executive producers.

    Along with having recently returned for Scream 5, Campbell is coming off of Netflix’s adaptation of the Lincoln Lawyer. And while it has yet to be confirmed, the actress is expected to return for Scream 6.

    Source: Deadline

  • Stephanie Beatriz Joins Anthony Mackie in ‘Twisted Metal’

    Stephanie Beatriz Joins Anthony Mackie in ‘Twisted Metal’

    Peacock has been busy developing a new series based on the popular PlayStation gaming series Twisted Metal. Anthony Mackie is set to spearhead the project from the writing team behind Cobra Kai and Deadpool. We previously reported that the project was looking to cast series regular characters Quiet and Agent Stone.

    Twisted Metal has now found its Quiet in Brooklyn Nine-Nine actress Stephanie Beatriz. The character is described as a car thief who acts purely on instinct. She comes from a community that forced her into silence. But when she becomes clouded by her need for revenge, Quiet forms an unlikely, antagonistic bond with Mackie’s John Doe. Quiet appears to be an original character for the live-action series. While Beatriz may be most known for her role as Rosa Diaz in the comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine, her recent credits also include Disney’s animated hit Encanto and Warner Bros.’ In the Heights.

    Will Arnett and Marc Forman are also involved as executive producers for Twisted Metal via Electric Avenue production company, and the series is described as a half-hour comedy. The Sony Pictures Television-produced series is based on an original take on the property by Deadpool’s Rhett Reese and Zombieland’s Paul Wernick. Michael Jonathan Smith, who on Netflix’s Cobra Kai, serves as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. PlayStation Productions and Universal Television are also attached to the co-production. Kitao Sakurai, whose credits includeThe Eric Andre Show and Bad Trip will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Peacock Developing a ‘Reality Bites’ Series With Original Screenwriter

    Peacock Developing a ‘Reality Bites’ Series With Original Screenwriter

    Reality Bites is getting an update from Peacock. The NBCUniversal-backed streamer is looking to develop what is being called a “reframing” of the 1994 film of the same name. Helen Childress, who wrote the original film, is on board to write the remake which will follow the driven and idealistic Lelaina Pierce and her three best friends as they leave college and learn to be adults in the 90s all while trying to hold onto who they are, as well as each other.

    This is the second attempt at trying to adapt Reality Bites for television by NBCUniversal. Back in 2013, NBC partnered with Ben Stiller, who directed the original film, to develop a scripted comedy adaptation. That project was also penned by Childress with Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg also on board as producers. Unfortunately, that project ultimately fell apart and Stiller is not currently attached to this latest attempt.

    Reality Bites, which was released by Universal in ’94, earned approximately $33.3 million at the worldwide box office on a $11.5 million budget. It starred Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Steve Zahn, Janeane Garofalo and Stiller.

    Childress will serve as an executive producer alongside Jenna Bans as well as Shamberg, Sher, and Danny DeVito all of whom helped to produce the movie. They’ll also be joined by Casey Kyber (What She Said). This marks the latest Universal film to get the small-screen treatment following the likes of Pitch Perfect and Ted. As of this writing, no cast is attached to this project.

    Source: THR

  • Peacock Cancels ‘Saved by the Bell’ After Two Seasons

    Peacock Cancels ‘Saved by the Bell’ After Two Seasons

    Peacock has canceled its Saved by the Bell reboot.

    The news comes courtesy of Deadline, with the outlet revealing the cast and crew were given the news yesterday. Just a month ago, Peacock’s Saved by the Bell reboot on the award for Outstanding Comedy Series at the GLAAD Media Awards. While the original series was goofy, despite trying to tackle tough subjects at times, the newer installment often tackled gender, race and class issues.

    “We are so proud to have been the home of the next iteration of Saved by the Bell for both new and OG fans. Saved by the Bell has been a cultural mainstay for more than 30 years and the new series, led by Tracey Wigfield’s superfan enthusiasm and signature witty humor, seamlessly continued the show’s legacy, all while allowing more audiences to feel seen,”  a Peacock spokeswoman said in a statement. “We’re grateful to Tracey, Franco Bario, our partners at UTV, the beloved cast, and the fans who have continued to champion one of the most iconic shows of all time.”

    The reboot series starred Haskiri Velazquez, Mitchell Hoog, Josie Totah, Alycia Pascual-Peña, Belmont Cameli, Dexter Darden, John Michael Higgins and original cast members Elizabeth Berkley Lauren and Mario Lopez. While Mark Gosselaar, Tiffani Thiessen and Lark Voorhies all made several appearances in the reboot. Saved by the Bell‘s second season debuted all ten episodes in November over the week of Thanksgiving.

    Source: Deadline.

  • REPORT: First ‘Twisted Metal’ Casting Details Teases Agent Stone

    REPORT: First ‘Twisted Metal’ Casting Details Teases Agent Stone

    Peacock has been busy developing a new series based on the popular PlayStation gaming series Twisted Metal. While it sadly hasn’t quite gotten any momentum in the current generation of consoles, it still was quite the cult favorite. Anthony Mackie is set to spearhead the project from the writing team behind Cobra Kai and Deadpool. In a new report by Illuminerdi, they may have uncovered two iconic characters joining the gaming franchise.

    According to them, they are currently casting two roles for the Peacock series. They are busy looking to cast the characters of Quiet and Agent Stone, who will be series regulars. As the first character’s name implies, they are someone who can’t speak due to growing up not being allowed to talk. Yet, it gave her the possibility to gain a very different insight. She is seemingly an original character.

    Agent Stone, on the other hand, is described as a brutal highway patrolman. It seems he is someone that fully embraced the apocalypse and adores his new lifestyle in the Divided States of America. Unlike Quiet, this character does have a history with the games and is the driver of the Crimson Fury. He was introduced in the original Twisted Metal game from 1995 but was a secret agent looking for an item. It wasn’t until Twisted Metal: Black that we got the version that is closer to the character description.

    It’ll be interesting to see what other familiar faces make their way into the Peacock series. As they are seemingly adding some original characters as well, they may focus on who best adds to the overarching narrative of the project. We still don’t know if Sweet Tooth will make his appearance, who is the most recognizable character from the gaming series.

    Source: Illuminerdi

  • Peacock Developing a ‘Riverdale’-inspired Live-Action Series of ‘Casper the Friendly Ghost’

    Peacock Developing a ‘Riverdale’-inspired Live-Action Series of ‘Casper the Friendly Ghost’

    It looks like Casper the Friendly Ghost is making his long return, as Peacock is currently developing a live-action TV series. What sticks out is that this will be a coming-of-age story in the same vein as Riverdale‘s darker interpretation that has put the CW series on the map with its very out-there approach to storytelling. The only thing we know is that the series will be written and supervised by head writer Kai Yu Wu of The Ghost Bride fame.

    The story will follow a family arriving in Eternal Falls, where Casper becomes entangled in uncovering a dark secret that has been buried for 100 years. Just like Riverdale, the story will have a high school setting and the once-friendly ghost will have to explore what it means to be truly alive.

    While I enjoyed the first season of Riverdale, the series had a very unique direction moving forward. It’s unclear if they might try to target the same audience, but a murder mystery does work well with a character like Casper. It’s just unclear if they will completely drop his “Friendly Ghost” tagline. The new direction opens a lot of opportunities but could also push it into similar territory to reflect some of the more questionable aspects of the CW series.

    Source: Deadline

  • Anthony Mackie’s ‘Twisted Metal’ Heading to Peacock as Half-Hour Comedy Series

    Anthony Mackie’s ‘Twisted Metal’ Heading to Peacock as Half-Hour Comedy Series

    It’s been a while since we last heard anything on the live-action adaptation of the iconic PlayStation game, Twisted Metal. Well, it seems after a long bout of silence, the Anthonie Mackie produced series is moving forward with Cobra Kai‘s Michael Jonathan Smith serving as showrunner. Peacock will become its new home, and the series is described as a half-hour comedy. Will Arnett and Marc Forman are also involved as executive producers via Electric Avenue production company. NBC’s President for Scripted Content, Lisa Katz, shared her enthusiasm for the project’s potential:

    Twisted Metal has been a global phenomenon for more than 25 years but it was the creative vision for this live-action adaptation, led by Michael Jonathan Smith, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, that blew us away. Also Anthony Mackie starring made it undeniable project:

    Lisa Katz

    Mackie will take on the role of John Doe, a milkman who has a lead foot on his pedal. Without any memories, he may have found his home in a community obsessed with vehicle mayhem. His only way to join is to transport a package across the post-apocalyptic wasteland. It’s unclear how many of the iconic characters from the gaming franchise might make their way to the series, but as the show has only now been greenlit, we’ll see what they’ll reveal once the casting moves forward. Still, the idea of the series as a half-hour comedy would fit well to allow the series to focus on the twisted aspect of Twisted Metal.

    Source: Deadline