Twisted Metal season 3 revs up as a Star Wars legend joins the cast
Peacock is upping the ante for Season 3, with Mark Hamill reportedly joining the cast.
If you told me last year that a TV version of Twisted Metal would become one of Peacock’s surprise hits, I’d have laughed and moved on. Let’s be honest, as video game premises go, Twisted Metal is barely a premise: a bunch of maniacs drive cars armed to the teeth in a post-apocalyptic free-for-all. Plot? Not so much. But somehow, they’ve made it work—and not just work, but thrive.
Past Flaws and Redemption
Season 1 of Twisted Metal didn’t exactly blow anyone’s socks off out of the gate. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it started with just 67% positive reviews—a bit rocky, if we’re putting it politely. Rather than collapsing under the weight of its own chaos, though, the show found its groove. By the time Season 2 landed, that score had shot up to a much more respectable 92%. Turns out, giving your characters some actual depth pays off, even in a world where the main activity is vehicular murder spree.
Mark Hamill—Yes, THE Mark Hamill—Joins Up
Now, for the real curveball: Mark Hamill is heading for Season 3. You know the one—Luke Skywalker himself, and more recently, a go-to for horror roles. The scoop came from The InSneider, who reports Hamill’s on board, though no one’s saying who he’ll play. The original games have a full deck of oddballs, so take your pick, really. Hamill’s carved out a lovely little niche for himself outside Star Wars lately—he was downright chilling in 'The Fall of the House of Usher', and he’s tackling the villainous Major in the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s 'The Long Walk', an absolute horror show of a role if you look it up. Safe to say, he’s got the range for Twisted Metal’s brand of madness.
Behind-the-Scenes Drama
Of course, there’s more to this story than just new cast additions. The show’s creative engine—Michael Jonathan Smith, who co-created and ran the first two seasons—has been swapped out for David Reed. Not only that, but a considerable portion of the writers have been replaced for the third run as well. Never a dull moment, eh?
And Then There’s Stu
This one’s a bit bizarre, if you ask me. Season 2 wrapped up with Mike Mitchell’s character, Stu, actually winning the whole Twisted Metal tournament, which teed him up perfectly for a central role in Season 3. What actually happened? Well, Mitchell revealed he’s been written out entirely for next season. Fans, predictably, are not thrilled. Some have even adopted the very catchy rallying cry: "No Stu, No Stream", threatening to boycott the third season because of Stu’s abrupt exit. I mean, that’s commitment, isn’t it?
Who’s Involved (So Far)
- Mark Hamill—new for Season 3, role undisclosed
- Former showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith replaced by David Reed
- Significant writer shake-up for the new season
- Mike Mitchell (Stu) will not return, despite Season 2’s setup
Peacock hasn’t announced a release date for Twisted Metal Season 3.