Creator of Castlevania Seeks Duke Nukem Rights

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Rebooting the Legendary '90s Antihero

The Duke Nukem revival marks Shankar's latest ambitious venture following his success adapting popular gaming franchises. Best known for Netflix's Castlevania and Devil May Cry animated series, the producer confirmed his newest project during an Esquire interview.

"I'm being selectively approached about potential IP collaborations," Shankar revealed. "Acquiring the Duke Nukem rights from Gearbox represents an exciting creative challenge - not for game development, but for storytelling."

The Rise and Fall of Gaming's Ultimate Macho Icon

Duke Nukem first exploded onto the gaming scene in 1991, but achieved legendary status with 1996's ground-breaking Duke Nukem 3D. Despite numerous sequels, the franchise suffered irreparable damage after 2011's critically panned Duke Nukem Forever - the series' last official installment.

Shankar envisions reclaiming the character's rebellious spirit: "Duke embodies counterculture - corporate sanitization destroyed his essence. My adaptation won't compromise that signature attitude."

A Creator-Driven Vision

The producer emphasized his uncompromising approach:

"This will be my unfiltered creative statement. Duke's rebellious nature demands artistic freedom - no studio notes, no corporate oversight. When focus groups get involved, you lose what made Duke special."

What to Expect

While details remain scarce regarding format (animated series, live-action, or hybrid), Shankar confirmed this will be a passion project honoring Duke's raunchy, over-the-top roots. The acquisition doesn't affect Legendary Entertainment's reported live-action film plans.

Shankar's Proven Adaptation Formula

Fans can anticipate Shankar's signature style based on his past work:

• Devil May Cry (Season 1: 8/10)
• Castlevania (Season 1: 8.1/10)
• Castlevania: Nocturne (spin-off)
• Assassin's Creed (upcoming Netflix series)
• PUBG (animated adaptation)

The Duke Nukem project joins an increasingly crowded field of video game adaptations, though Shankar's track record suggests his version will stand apart.