Through Netflix, producer Adi Shankar has already adapted Castlevania and Devil May Cry as anime series. Now, Shankar has revealed that he’s picked up the rights for Duke Nukem, the first-person shooter franchise with a very dirty sense of humor created by developer 3D Realms.
“I bought the rights to Duke Nukem,” said Shankar during an interview with Esquire. “Not the gaming rights, but I bought it from Gearbox… It’s a middle finger to everybody. 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.”
It’s unclear how or if Shankar’s deal with Gearbox affects the live-action Duke Nukem movie in development at Legendary with the creators of Cobra Kai. That project hasn’t had many updates since it was announced in 2022. Similarly, the most recent game in the franchise, Duke Nukem Forever, was released in 2011, and there haven’t been any new Duke Nukem games, or talk of making any sequels, since.
While Shankar didn’t elaborate any further on his plans for Duke Nukem, he did touch upon Devil May Cry Season 2, which has already been ordered by Netflix. There are some minor spoilers ahead for the ending of Devil May Cry Season 1.
“My plan was always to build and expand Devil May Cry,” said Shankar. “Season 1 had to be the gateway drug, but Season 2, the storytelling is going to pivot. Season 2 is going to be different, stylistically and tonally, from Season 1. Virgil is a big, very important character. It’s essentially a new show.”
Instead of equaling his previous success with Castlevania, Shanker has set his sights on outdoing Arcane, the critically acclaimed animated series based on League of Legends.
I have goals. I want to body Arcane, surpass it in viewership… Arcane is the Joker lighting cash on fire, and it’s great. With Season 2 of Devil May Cry, I want to beat that. Show up to a tank fight with a water balloon and destroy the tank. Because that’s cool.”
Netflix hasn’t set a premiere date yet for Devil May Cry Season 2.
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