Manc musical superstar to star in homegrown spaghetti western

This March, a fresh British comedy brings an offbeat twist to small-town life and classic pool-hustling sagas.

Mr Doom – Behind the 8 Ball, directed by Manchester-born Leif Johnson, adds a darkly humorous spin to The Colour of Money with a spaghetti western vibe. Instead of gunslingers, this tale of redemption is fought with pool cues, set against the backdrop of gritty pubs and the spirit of Northern England.

The film follows a cast of flawed yet fiercely compelling characters, diving into a world of hustles, heartbreak, and offbeat heroics. Leif Johnson, a Hyde native with over 20 years of experience in TV and film, drew inspiration from his Tameside roots and his time bartending at Manchester’s iconic South nightclub, where he met Inspiral Carpets legend Clint Boon.

Mr Doom – Behind the 8 Ball

Johnson imagined Mr Doom as a tribute to the larger-than-life characters that fill Northern pubs and the gritty, endearing personalities who make up its communities. For Clint Boon, the project also has a sense of homecoming. “I actually met Leif around 20 years ago when he was working behind the bar at South, where I was a resident DJ,” he recalled.

“Back then, Leif was studying film and asked me to play the lead role in his short film Ring Road, where I played a guy driving a Ford Capri around the Pennines. It was surreal and unsettling—and it’s still on YouTube!

“Over the years, Leif has built a really solid career in filmmaking. So, when he started working on Mr. Doom, he reached out immediately and offered me the role of a barman.”

Danny Sutcliffe and Danny Parsons 

Mr Doom stars Manchester comedians Danny Sutcliffe and Danny Parsons as two underdog pool players, embarking on a chaotic journey of friendship, addiction, and hard-won lessons. Sutcliffe, in a breakout role as the lovable, chaotic Jack, leads the cast alongside Manchester icons Smug Roberts and Clint Boon, as well as up-and-coming North West talent like Shae Burnley and Ruth Cockburn.

For Boon, playing the barman felt like a natural fit. “The kind of acting I do is usually just playing a variation of myself. I didn’t need to put on any fancy accents or anything—just the same bloke from Manchester,” he joked.

“Smug and I drove down together, had a laugh, and the whole thing felt like a night out with mates. The cast was great; we had some professional pool players around too, and it really just felt like good fun.”

Shot with the expertise of Salford University graduates Craig Murdoch as Director of Photography and Neil Jones as Colourist, the film captures the intense, humorous energy of small-town life, amplified by an Ennio Morricone-inspired score featuring music from The Clint Boon Experience, Avec Sans, and Phantom Isle.

For Johnson, Mr Doom is more than just a film—it’s a culmination of years spent drawing inspiration from Northern England’s unsung characters. “This film is personal,” he shared. “It’s inspired by my roots and real people I’ve known, from the storytellers down at the pub to the hustlers who made ends meet without ever clocking in. Casting Clint Boon was like coming full circle; we met years ago at South nightclub, and having him in the film now feels like a real homecoming.”

Clint Boon – the actor

Boon, best known as a musician, has dabbled in acting over the years, with credits including 24 Hour Party People. “People mostly know me as a musician, but I’ve done a bit of acting here and there,” Boon said. “I had a small role in 24 Hour Party People as a train guard, where I filmed opposite Steve Coogan for an afternoon. I’ve also been in a few indie films. But Mr Doom—that was just pure fun. It was a spontaneous shoot, mostly unscripted, so a lot of it was just me goofing around on a pool table.”

Johnson’s vision for the film blends classic Hollywood and British sensibilities. Mr Doom was shot as a mix of comedy and spaghetti western, described by Johnson as The Colour of Money meets Shane Meadows, with editing reminiscent of Edgar Wright’s dynamic style. “I’ve always loved the idea of blending a Hollywood sports narrative with the humour and charm of Northern characters,” he explained.

“Growing up in Tameside, I met all these ‘bar raconteurs’—the types you’d think are just bums, but they’re actually fascinating people.”

Music from The Clint Boon Experience

The film’s soundtrack is another standout feature, and Boon’s own music plays a key role. “Yes, we used a few songs from my band, the Clint Boon Experience, from the late ’90s and early 2000s,” Boon shared. “There are three or four songs throughout the film, and one, ‘White No Sugar,’ plays over the end credits. It’s pretty special to hear that at the end.”

“It’s funny,” he adds, “I hadn’t thought of it specifically as a ‘Manchester story,’ but it definitely has those roots. The story feels like it was born out of this city, and there’s a certain Manchester spirit in the whole production.”

“The footage looks amazing! Leif’s really done something special with it. The trailers are brilliant, and I think it has real potential. The film’s got humour, it’s emotionally engaging, and I genuinely hope it’s successful for everyone involved.”

With its unique blend of grit, heart, and humour, Mr Doom – Behind the 8 Ball is set to resonate with audiences, especially those from Manchester who know these characters all too well. For anyone who’s ever met a pub philosopher, an underdog, or a local legend, Mr Doom is a love letter to the North.

Find out more about Mr Doom – Behind the 8 Ball

Mr Doom – Behind the 8 Ball will be available on Amazon, iTunes, Sky, Google Play, and Rakuten TV from 3rd March, and there will be a world premiere screening at HOME Manchester 27th February 15:30-17:30, as well as exclusive preview screenings at Picturehouse Hackney 4th March 20:00- 22:00 and Cineworld Witney 6th March 19:00- 21:00 – all screenings will include a Q&A with the creators and cast.

You can find out more about Mr Doom – Behind the 8 Ball by clicking here