A ‘Duke Nukem’ movie is actually in the works, and it could star John Cena

By Gabe Gurwin Updated January 23, 2018

john cena in talks duke nukem movie johncenadukenukem — Mary Cybulski/Universal Pictures

And his name is … Duke Nukem? WWE star John Cena has dipped his toes into the acting waters before, starring in the action movie The Marine and the Amy Schumer comedy Trainwreck, and he even hosted Saturday Night Live last year, but his latest project could be his magnum opus. Cena is reportedly negotiating for a lead role in a Duke Nukem movie, and we want literally nothing more in the entire world.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cena is currently in talks to star in Duke Nukem with the production company Platinum Dunes, run in part by Michael Bay. Bay is no stranger to video game adaptations, signing on to help Ubisoft and Warner Bros. develop a film based on Ghost Recon back in 2013.

No writer or director has been chosen for the film yet, but if you’ve ever played a Duke Nukem game, you know the actual game isn’t particularly important — it’s all about Duke Nukem and his dumb one-liners.

The live-action Duke Nukem will certainly sound different to longtime fans of the games. In the majority of his appearances, he has been played by Jon St. John, who made the character famous with his gruff voice and over-the-top inflection.

The Duke Nukem franchise hasn’t exactly been relevant in recent years, with its humor and tone definitely suited for the ’90s. Its most recent main entry, Duke Nukem Forever, was in development hell for years before finally being released by Gearbox Software. The game received scathing reviews and found Gearbox’s PR firm The Redner Group in hot water after it threatened to blacklist journalists who disliked the game — the game’s publisher 2K Games parted ways with the firm shortly thereafter.

Still, with a modern coat of paint and the right creative team involved, there’s no reason John Cena shouldn’t be able to make Duke Nukem a fun time. He’s shown a knack for comedy already, and with a pair of sunglasses, a tank top, and a cigar, the resemblance will be uncanny. That is, of course, unless we just see a floating pair of sunglasses, a tank top, and a cigar in the film.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

Gaming

How to revive dead companions in Baldur’s Gate 3

Withers offering services to the player in Baldur's Gate 3.

You're given a good bit of leeway during battles in Baldur's Gate 3 before you or a companion actually bites the dust for good. While in battle, if a teammate does take enough damage to drop, they aren't dead then and there. Instead, they will be downed with a chance to roll every turn to get back up. If they roll successfully three times, the battle ends, or you use another character to pick them up, they're good. If they fail that roll three times, however, they will be completely dead. That can be harsh when you've become attached to certain characters and want to further their stories, so you'll be looking for any way you can to bring them back. Thankfully you do have a few options for reviving companions in Baldur's Gate 3, but just like respeccing, they aren't so obvious.
Pay Withers to bring them back

Withers is a friendly undead you can find in a secret room in the Dank Crypt found inside the Overgrown Ruins. After finding and speaking to him in his sarcophagus, he will offer you various services, one of which is bringing back any dead companions. He won't do this out of the kindness of his heart (probably because it isn't beating) and will charge you a heavy fine of 200 gold to do so. Still, that's a small price to pay to bring back a beloved character. Once paid, that character will appear in your camp where they would normally be, so there's no need to go back to their corpse and find them.
Use a scroll of Revivfy or learn it

Gaming

Every video game delay that has happened in 2023 so far

The player skates toward the moon in Skate Story.

Few things feel as inevitable in the video game industry as delays. Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, game delays have only become more and more common as developers find previously set timelines unrealistic and adjust their release plans accordingly. More than halfway through 2023, we've already seen some notable AAA games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Skull & Bones, and Pragmata delayed pretty heavily. Because video game release date delays are so common, it can be tough to keep track of every game that has had its launch date shifted in some way.
That's why, just as we did in 2021 and 2022, Digital Trends is rounding up every game delay that's announced throughout 2023. Here are the high-profile ones that have happened so far, listed chronologically by their new intended release dates.
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR (March 16)

As Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is one of the best games for PlayStation VR, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, Supermassive Games' PlayStation VR2 successor, is a highly anticipated launch title for the upcoming VR headset. Unfortunately, it will no longer make PlayStation VR2's February 22 launch and will instead be released on March 16. On Twitter, a message from Supermassive Games says this delay will ensure that players "receive the most polished, terrifying experience possible" at release. The game was released on that date to mixed reviews.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (March 24)

Gaming

Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Three characters shoot at a boss in Remnant 2.

Aside from the focus on firearms and integrating some randomly generated environments, the Remnant series sets itself apart from other souls-like games mainly with its focus on co-op. Both titles encourage you to team up with two friends to fight your way through the mutated monsters that await. After so many years of progress in terms of multiplatform games incorporating full cross-platform support, you might assume Remnant 2 will follow suit and let you make a group with anyone regardless of what platform they're on. However, the truth may be a bit more disappointing. Before you make plans with your squad, here's what you need to know about Remnant 2's cross-platform support.
Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Unfortunately, Remnant 2 does not have cross-platform play between PS5, Xbox Series X or PC -- and there's no word about it being added in the future.