The confirmation that Adi Shankar, executive producer behind Netflix’sDevil May CryandCastlevaniaanime, has bought the screen rights toDuke Nukemcould prove to be excellent, albeit controversial, news for the ailing IP. While Shankar has been in the industry for many years now, typically as a showrunner and producer, he is arguably best known for his work on Netflix’s adaptations ofCastlevania,Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, andDevil May Cry. Thanks to each series receiving critical acclaim, Shankar has become a surefire thing for future adaptations, with his name already attached to the likes ofAssassin’s Creed,Hyper Light Drifter,and nowDuke Nukem.
But while Netflix seems to haveavoided the curse faced by video game adaptationsand demonstrated the potential for other games to do the same, it wasn’t able to do so completely unscathed. AsDmCis Netflix’s most recent adaptation, the controversies surrounding both Shankar and the anime could damageDuke Nukem’s hopes for a comeback before it has been given a chance, especially after 2011’sDuke Nukem Forever. However, while fans criticizingDmC’s anime shouldn’t be ignored, Shankar’s track record of video game adaptations so far andDuke Nukem’s potential satire and explicit content could be a winning combination.
Exploring the Controversies Behind Adi Shankar, Devil May Cry, and Beyond
Much like the controversies Netflix itself has caused over the years, its video game adaptations were arguably no different, as individuals working on these shows kept getting caught in scandals. With allegations of sexual misconduct againstCastlevania’s then-lead writer, Warren Ellis, andShankar’s lawsuit threatening to sueover claims that he was excluded from its spin-off,Castlevania: Nocturne,DmCis not the only adaptation to have been met with controversy. However, Shankar remains polarizing among fans after he based a character on the equally divisive streamer and commentator, Asmongold, with his replies echoing far-right rhetoric couched inDmClore.
But while fans ofDmC,Castlevania, or any other adaptation can try to separate art from the artist, Shankar has been accused of having a savior complex after he reacted negatively toDevil May Cry 5. Additionally, despite being the fourth most-watched Netflix show in its first week and outperforming other adaptations, likeCyberpunk: EdgerunnersandCastlevania: Nocturne,fans have alsocriticized Shankar’s disregard forDmC’s source material, with issues raised varying between the poor development and direction of certain characters to the forced political themes and stories that were never part of the original games.
Adi Shankar Could Still Be a Great Choice for Duke Nukem
Given everything outlined so far, ranging from past controversies that Shankar has either caused or been involved with to the recent backlash againstDmC, it could still be argued that he is the best fit for aDuke Nukemadaptation. For example, the faults seen byDmC’s fans and its adaptation could prove to beDuke Nukem’s gain, as Shankar can still explore the samemilitarized themes seen inDmCand overuse expletives by adapting a game famous for such content instead. Somewhat ironically, Shankar would even have the chance to do good byDuke Nukemas another dormant and far older IP after hisDmC 5backlash.
Additionally, Shankar has already proven that even games with little to no story or lore can still become successful adaptations, just asNetflix’sCastlevaniaanime may not have workedbased on source material alone. Therefore, while Shankar may have been criticized for not being faithful to theDmCgames, this could again be an advantage forDuke Nukem, especially when no single game’s story, characters, or enemies stand out. Better yet, aDuke Nukemadaptation could take notes fromCaptain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, leaning into the same surreal and absurd elements it shares with games likeFar Cry 3: Blood Dragon.
Devil May Cry 5
WHERE TO PLAY
Prepare to get downright demonic with this signature blend of high-octane stylized action and otherworldly & original characters the series is known for. Director Hideaki Itsuno and the core team have returned to create the most insane, technically advanced and utterly unmissable action experience of this generation!The threat of demonic power has returned to menace the world once again inDevil May Cry 5. The invasion begins when the seeds of a “demon tree” take root in Red Grave City. As this hellish incursion starts to take over the city, a young demon hunter Nero, arrives with his partner Nico in their “Devil May Cry” motorhome. Finding himself without the use of his right arm, Nero enlists Nico, a self-professed weapons artist, to design a variety of unique mechanical Devil Breaker arms to give him extra powers to take on evil demons such as the blood sucking flying Empusa and giant colossus enemy Goliath.
