‘Beast Games’ Season 2 Sets ‘Survivor’ Crossover With Jeff Probst: Watch the Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)
The “Survivor” and “Beast Games” worlds are officially crossing over. In the first trailer for Season 2 of Prime Video’s “Beast Games,” led by Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, “Survivor” host Jeff Probst makes an appearance as the cast heads to Fiji to compete.
The crossover of the two competition shows marks the first of its kind as “Beast Games” contestants will “take on a hybrid challenge course that blends Beast Games’ larger-than-life innovation with ‘Survivor’s’ groundbreaking format,” per the press release. “The special incorporates authentic ‘Survivor’ elements — including mid-challenge bribes, strategic twists, and signature physical obstacles — resulting in an episode that seamlessly bridges the worlds of content creators and traditional television.”
“You’re on my island now, you’re now in the big city anymore,” the longtime host and “Survivor” showrunner tells the group, which includes Sue Smey, who competed on Season 47 of the CBS competition series.
Jeff Probst and Jimmy Donaldson
Sinan Deriş
The story of how the idea of a “Survivor” crossover began is a bit different, depending on who you ask. But in short, the co-creators of “Beast Games” had dreamt of having Probst be a part of their show’s island episode — somehow. And the “Survivor” team was looking for creators to include in the “Influencer Experience.” Lori DelliColli, VP of communications at CBS, saw that her kids were watching MrBeast videos over breakfast, and they showed her team member Karl Jacobs, who was wearing a “Survivor” buff and talking about his love for the show. She then flagged the social and marketing team, and they invited Jacobs out.
Jacobs, along with co-creator Sean Klitzner, participated in the experience and Klitzner took the opportunity to discuss some sort of collaboration with Probst. The meeting took place in April, with filming happening in June.
After “Beast Games” Season 1, which featured 1,000 competitors, Donaldson wanted to go even bigger — but more personal at the same time. For Season 2, the cast is made up of 200 people — 100 of the strongest competitors in the world and 100 of the world’s smartest — all battling for a $5 million prize.
“You watch a season of ‘Survivor,’ you get to the end, you know everyone really well. You know their personalities, you know their families,” Donaldson told Variety, who was on set for the crossover. “When you watched Season 1 of ‘Beast Games,’ it’s not really until episode seven or eight that you start to know people, but that’s crazy… In Season 2, we have 200 and get the numbers out very quickly so we can tell these stories.”
Donaldson returns as host and executive producer. Sean Klitzner, Tyler Conklin and Mack Hopkins also serve as co-creators. Klitzner and Matt Apps are showrunners and executive producers. Conklin, Michael Cruz, Jeff Housenbold, Michael Miller, Josh Kulic, and Chris Keiper are also executive producers with Conklin also directing.
The first three episodes premiere on Prime Video on January 7, available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Watch the trailer:
