Video game adaptations are having a golden era. From The Last of Us to Fallout, studios are finally cracking the code on bringing beloved interactive worlds to the small screen. Even Twisted Metal and Devil May Cry have found success, while heavy hitters like God of War and Mass Effect are in the pipeline. But one iconic franchise remains conspicuously absent from this renaissance: DOOM. Despite a couple of forgettable movie attempts, the demon-slaying shooter is ripe for a live-action series that could rival the best of them.
What Is DOOM About?
Debuting in 1993, DOOM revolutionized first-person shooters with its fast-paced action and groundbreaking 3D graphics. The premise is simple: a lone marine, later dubbed the Doom Slayer, battles hordes of demons that have invaded a Martian military base through teleportation experiments gone wrong. Over the years, the franchise expanded its lore, especially with the 2016 reboot and its sequels, DOOM Eternal and DOOM: The Dark Ages. These modern entries fleshed out the Doom Slayer's backstory, transforming him from a faceless avatar into a mythic warrior with a tragic past.
Lessons from The Mandalorian
If a DOOM series is to succeed, it should take cues from The Mandalorian rather than Halo. The Doom Slayer should never remove his helmet or show his face, preserving the character's mystique. His stoic, almost silent nature is part of his charm, much like Din Djarin. A series could delve into his origins, exploring the events that forged him into an unstoppable force of vengeance. The games hint at a deeper tragedy beyond the loss of his pet rabbit Daisy, and a TV show could finally tell that story in full.
Timely Themes and Epic Scope
Beyond the action, DOOM offers rich thematic material. The corporate greed of the Union Aerospace Corporation and the reckless exploitation of Argent energy mirror real-world concerns about profit over humanity. The narrative also touches on humanity's hubris in meddling with forces beyond our control, reminiscent of Terminator 2's cautionary tale about AI. A series could start on Mars, drawing from Aliens for its claustrophobic horror, then expand to Earth for a post-apocalyptic second season, much like DOOM Eternal.
With the right creative team, a DOOM TV show could redeem the franchise's past cinematic failures. Microsoft, id Software, and Bethesda should pitch this to streamers hungry for the next big IP. It's a no-brainer that fans have been demanding for years.
For more on the best video game adaptations and what's streaming, check out our picks for Prime Video's best movies this weekend and Joel Kinnaman's Icefall.
