Overview

• Adi Shankar confirmed in an Esquire interview that he bought the screen rights to Duke Nukem from Gearbox, excluding video game rights.
• He envisions a film or TV series that preserves Duke’s irreverent “middle finger” attitude and creative freedom.
• Shankar emphasized resisting corporate oversight to maintain the character’s original rebellious spirit.
• The acquisition may complicate Legendary Entertainment’s own Duke Nukem movie plans after the studio obtained film rights in 2022.
• He is simultaneously developing a darker, Vergil-focused second season of Devil May Cry with the goal of surpassing Arcane’s Netflix viewership.