By A few months back, USA Networks announced it had ordered a run of episodes based on the biographical novel Masters of Doom. A book chronicling the development of 1993 mega-hit Doom and the fallout behind the scenes at id Software, we didn’t know much else about the series. Who would be playing the now legendary game developers? Would John Romero’s hair be making an appearance? Would there be Doom?!
We at least know a bit more now. As reported by Variety, Eduardo Franco (Booksmart) and Patrick Gibson (The OA) will be playing Romero and Carmack, respectively. Looking at headshots of the two, they honestly could pass as doppelgangers. In a press release, USA Network said, “Franco will star as John Romero, a brilliant young programmer and designer determined to become the videogame industry’s first rock star. Gibson will star as John Carmack, a self-taught genius whose unparalleled programming skill allows him to help create the first-person-shooter genre—and lay the groundwork for the rise of virtual reality.”
A few other roles have been cast, as well. Jane Ackermann (Neptune) will portray Hannah Romero, John’s now ex-wife. John Karna (Valley of the Boom) will play Tom Hall, the creative director of id Software that was eventually ousted from the company. Siobhan Williams (Deadly Class) will portray Stevie Case, one of the first female professional gamers and a love interest to Romero. Finally, Peter Friedman (Succession) will have a recurring role as Al Vekovius, owner of the company Softdisk that introduced the two John’s together.
Rhys Thomas (Documentary Now!) is set to direct the pilot with Tom Bissell handling the script. There’s no release date yet, though production is seemingly beginning very soon.
‘Masters of Doom‘ Pilot at USA Network Sets Cast, Director [Variety]
