"I don't intend on having anyone tell me what to do on this one.”
Adi Shankar has revealed that he’s secured the rights to Duke Nukem, meaning a TV adaptation of the video game franchise.
The producer behind Castlevania and the upcoming Devil May Cry series on Netflix confirmed the news in an interview with Esquire, saying:
“I bought the rights to Duke Nukem. Not the gaming rights, but I bought it from Gearbox.
“I got videogames in production. Obviously more Devil May Cry. I’m being approached with different IPs and companies that want to work with me.”
He highlighted his love for Devil May Cry and his vision for adapting video games into animation.
Adi said his take on Duke Nukem will not cater to corporate demands:
“When Duke Nukem blew up, a bunch of people sat around trying to turn it into a brand, when it’s just a middle finger.
“Duke Nukem can’t be made by a corporation, because the moment a corporation makes Duke Nukem, it’s no longer Duke Nukem.
“I don’t intend on having anyone tell me what to do on this one.”
Adi Shankar’s bold stance reflects his broader creative ethos.
He explained his preference for reviving overlooked or forgotten properties over high-profile franchises.
“I didn’t want the biggest thing.
“Don’t give me Street Fighter or Assassin’s Creed.
“I was a fan of so many things that disappeared and I was in a position of power to bring them back. I could make more Dino Crisis! And if I blow up Dino Crisis into Jurassic Park, I should do that.”
First released in 1996, Duke Nukem 3D became a cult classic among FPS fans.
Known for its crude humour, over-the-top action, and politically incorrect tone, it stood out in a crowded market during a formative era for the genre.
However, the Duke Nukem franchise has long struggled to live up to its iconic third entry.
The first two games were competent but conventional platformers, and the 2011 sequel, Duke Nukem Forever, was widely panned after years of delays and development turmoil.
Despite its rocky legacy, the character of Duke continues to loom large in pop culture memory, something Adi appears determined to harness.
His commitment to creative independence suggests this adaptation won’t shy away from the game’s original irreverence, though it remains to be seen how such a tone will translate for modern audiences.
Shankar’s adaptation of Devil May Cry premiered on April 3, 2025, on Netflix.
It received positive reviews and one week after the first season’s release, the series was renewed for a second season.
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