It came as a surprise when Paramount and Platinum Dunes announced that they would be adapting Duke Nukem for the big screen with John Cena attached to star. Not surprising that Cena was attached — honestly, who else could play him? — but that Duke Nukem would be making a comeback after the poor reception of Duke Nukem Forever years back. Not only that, but ‘The Duke’ isn’t exactly a great fit for the politically correct world that we live in. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done, and ever the renaissance man John Cena is welcoming the challenge. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Cena expressed his desire to do the iconic 90’s character justice:
“I think that’s the direct attachment and I’m very honored to be attached to that but that is a very fragile franchise. That was one that was very timeline specific, that is 1990s to the hilt. So, once again, it reflects upon story. The story has to come in dead-on balls, man. Like it has to come in told correct, told in a palatable sense for this generation, which you’re walking on eggshells…you can’t not be Duke Nukem, but you can’t make the wrong move…so I’m…what a blessing to be attached to that, a name like that, and I just hope development does the franchise justice.”
This is definitely encouraging. You absolutely cannot detach Duke Nukem from the ’90s, but you also have to make a movie that people will actually want to go see in 2018. It’s a tricky balancing act, but it seems that Cena has the right frame of mind going in. Who knows: If they truly embrace the chaos of the games, maybe we can end up with our first truly great video game adaptation?
There is no release date — or really any other details — for the upcoming Duke Nukem adaptation. Stay tuned!
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Originally published March 28, 2018. Updated December 19, 2019.
