Just a day after news that Sony has created a new in-house unit to adapt its video game IP for TV and film, PlayStation Productions' first known project has reportedly been revealed. According to the report, Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra confirmed that a Twisted Metal television show was currently being developed during a Sony investor Q&A. Note that while this information has yet to be refuted, it has also not yet been officially confirmed.

Twisted Metal is one of Sony's longest running IP, though it has been shelved in recent years. Released in 1995, the original Twisted Metal was one of the PlayStation console's most successful games. It received sequels up through 2012 when Twisted Metal was released on PlayStation 3 but since then, the franchise has gone quiet.

Despite the video game franchise going quiet, Sony has tried to reinvigorate the series behind the scenes. It's known that at least two PlayStation 3 sequels to Twisted Metal were started and then canceled, known as Twisted Metal: Apocalypse and Twisted Metal: Revolution. There was also an effort to make a Twisted Metal movie happen, directed by Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance director Brian Taylor that was also canceled.

In other words, the Twisted Metal IP is likely at its lowest point in almost 25 years, but given its history it still has value. Sony exploring the possibility of a Twisted Metal TV show is a great example of how PlayStation Productions can rebuild value for its original IP without necessarily spending 3-5 years making a brand new game. Or, perhaps it's planning to develop the show alongside a new game and capitalize on both at the same time. The cross-media opportunities are broad, where trying to sell another TV production company on making a Twisted Metal show would be a long process and unreliable.

twisted metal axel

The future of PlayStation Productions and Sony's aspirations for bringing its IP to television and film remains to be proven. There's no promise that PlayStation Productions' projects are any more likely to come to fruition than any other production company's. That said, teasing a Twisted Metal project before any other shows just how broad Sony's goals are.

PlayStation Productions could very easily focus just on their current hit IP, like God of War, Uncharted, or The Last of Us. Instead, it's going way back. Hopefully, PlayStation Productions carries that exciting attitude forward.

Source: ResetEra