Linguica Posted June 27, 2019 https://deadline.com/2019/06/usa-orders-masters-of-doom-pilot-based-book-james-franco-producing-1202638479/ Quote USA Network has given a pilot order to Masters of Doom, a drama based on David Kushner’s nonfiction book, from James and Dave Franco’s Ramona Films, The Gotham Group and UCP. Masters of Doom is being eyed as an anthology series, with the first installment based on Kushner’s book, published by Random House in 2003. Written and executive produced by WGA Award winner Tom Bissell (Gears of War), Masters of Doom is the true story of two computer geniuses in an obscure corner of America who, along with a group of rebellious misfits, created one of the biggest franchise hits of the 90s, the video game Doom. John Carmack and John Romero were best friends who became bitter rivals, as they created a video game empire and transformed pop culture forever. Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robinson and Jeremy Bell executive produce via The Gotham Group, along with James Franco, Dave Franco, Vince Jolivette and Elizabeth Haggard of Ramona Films, and Kushner. D.J. Goldberg of The Gotham Group will serve as co-executive producer. UCP is the studio. Masters of Doom falls into USA’s wheelhouse of “heroes, rebels & icons” as the network focuses on big stories about big American characters. Masters of Doom kicks off USA’s 2019 pilot cycle. Bissell is a writer on the Gears of War, Battlefield, and Uncharted video game franchises and author of nine books, including Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter. He also co-authored the bestseller The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made. His short fiction has also been anthologized in multiple editions of the Best American Short Stories series. Kushner, a contributing editor of Rolling Stone, is the author of six books, including his latest, The Players Ball. Bissell is repped by LINK Entertainment and Morris Yorn. Kushner is repped by The Gotham Group and Hirsch Wallerstein. The Gotham Group is repped by WME and Nelson Davis. 30 Share this post Link to post
scalliano Posted June 27, 2019 Couldn't be any worse than The Gamechangers... 1 Share this post Link to post
Bauul Posted June 27, 2019 It's a pretty compelling story, if handled right I can see it being a good show. I'm pretty sure they won't particularly care about historical accuracy, which will likely annoy a few people here, but from a TV show point of view I can see why it would seem a good option to adapt. 2 Share this post Link to post
ant Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) directly from Tom Hall! He is active in its comment sections and even answered me! :D 13 Share this post Link to post
Reisal Posted June 27, 2019 This series can only end in tears and criticism from the Doom community and gaming community in general..if they butcher it to fit a specific narrative. If they keep the narrative politics neutral and chock loaded with facts and information, then it should come out relatively to mostly positive to the community. 1 Share this post Link to post
DooM_RO Posted June 27, 2019 This could either be really good or really bad. 7 Share this post Link to post
Miss Bubbles Posted June 27, 2019 Masters of Doom is a great read and always felt like it would translate well into a movie or mini-series, so I can't help but be excited about this, but also my expectations are low lol. 3 Share this post Link to post
Count651 Posted June 27, 2019 I think I just shit myself.. Can't wait to see who they cast for Romero and Carmack 2 Share this post Link to post
silentzorah Posted June 27, 2019 15 minutes ago, Count651 said: I think I just shit myself.. Can't wait to see who they cast for Romero and Carmack John Romero - Himself 2 Share this post Link to post
Jonathan Posted June 27, 2019 Finally, my years of being too lazy to read Masters of Doom have paid off. I'm cautiously optimistic. 8 Share this post Link to post
Alexo Posted June 27, 2019 Guys, Franco brothers are very good at staying true to source materials. Have faith that this will be a decent adaptation. The big question is... who will play carmack? Will there be auditions? Asking for a friend... lol. 1 Share this post Link to post
xvertigox Posted June 27, 2019 It'll be interesting no matter what. I, too, am cautiously optimistic but even if it turns out to be complete crap then meh whatever, it'll still be a novelty. I can see most people are managing their expectations well so it'll all probably work out. 1 Share this post Link to post
Chezza Posted June 27, 2019 I look forward to this, as long as it's following the source material accurately. 0 Share this post Link to post
Swalzi Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) There is an animated pilot of "Master of Doom" back in 2006 that never succeeded on Newgrounds. I've never read the book, so I don't know if it's accurate to the source material. 4 Share this post Link to post
Triple_sSs Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) Yeah, I'm cautiously optimistic as well. I've read Masters of Doom a few times already and it's a really good story, one that's well suited to an adaptation. I think it'd be fine as just a movie, but a series could work too I suppose. Hoping it'll be faithful to both the material and the facts. 1 Share this post Link to post
noisebloom Posted June 27, 2019 If it's anything like The Disaster Artist, it'll be a winner. 2 Share this post Link to post
DuckReconMajor Posted June 27, 2019 I also recommend the book. It's one of about 2 or 3 books that I finished in like 1 sitting because I couldn't put it down. It's not too terribly long. 2 Share this post Link to post
Koko Ricky Posted June 27, 2019 I feel like when it comes out, we're going to start a thread complaining about how inaccurate their depiction of 90s computer hardware/software is. 13 Share this post Link to post
elend Posted June 28, 2019 3 hours ago, Armaetus said: This series can only end in tears and criticism from the Doom community and gaming community in general..if they butcher it to fit a specific narrative. If they keep the narrative politics neutral and chock loaded with facts and information, then it should come out relatively to mostly positive to the community. That was also the first thing I was thinking about. No matter what they'll do in this show, the Community will tear it apart, just how they did with Sigil. Other than that, I must say, that I am looking forward to it. Having watched "Halt and Catch Fire" recently, I can see that you can make a compelling TV show out of this material and hope, that it is a good balance of realistic, with just enough artistic license to keep it interesting. 1 Share this post Link to post
Linguica Posted June 28, 2019 17 minutes ago, elend said: That was also the first thing I was thinking about. No matter what they'll do in this show, the Community will tear it apart, just how they did with Sigil. [citation needed] 12 Share this post Link to post
Buckshot Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) Should be interesting to see how it all comes together. Kind of hoping they do a "Pirates of Silicon Valley" style, but in a series. There's a lot of tense moments and internal conflict/drama throughout the novel to display along side all the personality, life and breakthrough achievements. Also, while it's a very odd comparison i'm about to make since they aren't even in the same realm of relevance aside from being live action (though heavily exaggerated) documentaries, but looking at shows like "Narcos" which is focuses on the events and life surrounding the infamous Pablo Escobar, when they do these adaptions of real life history, events and persons involved, it can be done very (very) well when done right. Edited June 28, 2019 by Buckshot 1 Share this post Link to post
noisebloom Posted June 28, 2019 1 hour ago, GoatLord said: I feel like when it comes out, we're going to start a thread complaining about how inaccurate their depiction of 90s computer hardware/software is. YES 1 Share this post Link to post
hardcore_gamer Posted June 28, 2019 4 hours ago, silentzorah said: John Romero - Himself Is this true srs? 0 Share this post Link to post
geo Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, GoatLord said: I feel like when it comes out, we're going to start a thread complaining about how inaccurate their depiction of 90s computer hardware/software is. I'll tear it apart for not being the Doom novels. Space action TV series? Sounds expensive. Let's do a mini series about the making of Doom. Everybody loves the 90s. Look at how well American Crime Story is doing. 0 Share this post Link to post
⇛Marnetmar⇛ Posted June 28, 2019 I look forward to the portrayal of Carmack's relationship with Mitzi. 2 Share this post Link to post
xvertigox Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) I've looked at this again and my hopes are sky high. The fact that it's written and produced by Tom Bissell who wrote The Disaster Artist book and produced by the Franco brothers is encouraging. The fact that they all treated the Disaster Artist source material with so much respect makes me think they'll do the same for Master of Doom. I hope the pilot gets picked, I imagine it will with these names behind it. 2 Share this post Link to post