Duke Nukem is one of the most iconic video game properties of the 1990s, and it was recently announced that a film adaptation is in development with the Cobra Kai designers at Paramount. The series follows several alien attacks, but the high concept isn’t the franchise’s big draw. The main character is why gamers were so enamored with games in the 90s, and why the film’s cast is so important.
Duke is an action hero at heart, as he’s full of confidence, spits out hilarious one-liners, and has the physique of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the ’80s. likely candidates, but the movie might just be interesting if the studio made a left-leaning casting choice.
Bruce Campbell
Bruce Campbell never achieved the stardom he seemed destined to achieve in the 80s. Instead, he became a cult figure and the face of the evil Dead series. But the horror-comedy franchise has shown how good he is at being a leading man in Hollywood while satirizing it at the same time.
Campbell has the same type of energy as Duke, and his wise personality and confidence could lend itself well to a Duke Nukem movie. And while some might think Bruce Campbell is too old to play Duke, the actor played Ash until 2018 in Ash vs. the Evil Deadand he played the suave chainsaw persona for one hand until the very end.
John Cena
John Cena starred in two hit movies of 2021, establishing himself as the go-to player for high testosterone macho characters. Cena is the most obvious choice for the video game character, especially since he’s not afraid to look silly and isn’t averse to ridiculous costumes.
Not only does the former wrestler bear an uncanny resemblance to Duke and the same build, but Cena has proven it with Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad that he can deliver outrageous one-liners with perfect comedy timing. However, the problem with the casting of the F9 actor as Duke Nukem is that Duke is so similar to Peacemaker, and Cena wouldn’t do anything original.
Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson hasn’t had the best luck with video game movies since he starred in 2005 Loss, which was a colossal failure. In the action-horror movie, Johnson plays Sgt. Asher, who has brutal aggression and is armed to the teeth with huge guns, who is essentially Duke without the outgoing personality.
Considering Johnson has built his brand over the last ten years and presents himself as a one-line builder, he could be a likely candidate for Duke Nukem. However, much like Cena, Johnson’s portrayal of Duke may not be all that different from characters like Hobb in the Fast and Furious series or Frank in the recent Jungle Cruise.
Margot Robbie
Duke Nukem is obviously a man, and he’s a tough, masculine, testosterone-packed man, but that’s why a sex swap could work so well. It’s no secret that a lot of misogynistic jokes in the Duke Nukem the games haven’t aged well, so the studio is unlikely to adapt the series in the traditional sense. It’s probably going to be a meta, self-aware film that pokes fun at itself, à la Skip the street Where dead Pooland in that regard, a female Duke Nukem could really work.
Margot Robbie already has some iconic characters under her belt, as she’s Harley Quinn in the DC Extended Universe, and she’ll play a Jack Sparrow-like pirate in the Pirates of the Caribbean to restart. But given how funny she is as Harley and how well she can hit the emotional beats, Robbie could turn Duke into a three-dimensional character better than anyone.
Josh Lawson
Josh Lawson doesn’t have a huge filmography, but he recently won praise for his performance in another video game movie, mortal combat. In many ways, Kano is a lot like Duke, from thrilling monster slaying to having an almost obnoxious confidence. However, Kano was killed in mortal combatmeaning Lawson is unlikely to return for the sequel.
It’s a huge disappointment for the fans, because Kano had the best moments of mortal combat. However, it also means that Duke could be something of a spiritual successor to Kano for Lawson. The actor could apply the same sensibilities to Duke, except he wouldn’t be a loathsome mercenary.
Kumail Nanjiani
Kumail Nanjiani has become one of those actors who is chosen for the distinct humor he brings to every role. Much like Taiki Waititi and Ryan Reynolds, Nanjiani is cast in roles where he should be the goofy, out-of-reality character he perfected.
But whether in Eternals Where Obi Wan Kenobi, all of his roles in hit movies and series have been part of ensemble casts, and the actor needs his own action-packed comedy vehicle. Nanjiani’s dry wit is perfect for the film adaptation, and where his characters aren’t usually very smart, their confidence is often misplaced, which could put an interesting twist on Duke’s conviction and lead to all sorts of problems.
Steven Ogg
Most of the top contenders for Duke are huge stars, but it’s not just because they’re recognizable and will make millions at the box office. Duke exudes charisma and is a physical specimen, and that’s how the current acting landscape looks at the minute. However, while Steven Ogg isn’t a bankable star and doesn’t physically resemble Duke, he still has the potential to be a great version of the character.
Ogg is known for his small roles on shows like You better call Saulbut his biggest role to date is the unpredictable Trevor in Grand Theft Auto V. The role wasn’t just a voiceover, but it was full motion capture, and the actor’s agility in the role led to great body humor, he delivered the vulgar dialogue brilliantly, and he there is no other comic violence like it. And while being the current face of Old Spice isn’t a huge claim to fame, these ads are actually a perfect showcase of its magnetism.
Antoine Starr
Antony Starr still has a long career ahead of him, like his role as the evil Homelander in the very explicit The boys earned him so many new fans. The character has parental issues and acts out massive bouts of murderous rage just to vent his frustration, and he even once ditched a plane full of people, one of the worst things a Boys the character did. It’s almost as if Superman is secretly a villain, and Starr makes fans find Homelander despicable and hilarious at the same time, and after all the terrible things he’s done, viewers still sympathize with him.
Starr deserves his own vehicle which is still exciting but not as mortifying. He looks the part, and given that Homelander is such a dense character that he’s surely exhausting to play, Starr could let loose in a fun and ridiculous action flick. Duke Nukem would be just as violent as The boys, but audiences wouldn’t feel conflicted to be entertained by it.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
While most candidates for the role of Duke Nukem come from an entertainment background like wrestling or are primarily comedy actors, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is one of the few classically trained actors who can have fun with the role. Abdul-Mateen could bring gravity to the role that few other actors could, but he’s also shown he can be funny and an action hero too.
The actor was the MVP of The Matrix Resurrections and the audience saw a glimmer of Duke as Morpheus (Abdul-Mateen) came through the hallway with two machine guns. There’s no doubt he could be dramatic, hilarious and heroic all at once and embody the spirit of Duke Nukem, but he hasn’t had a chance to prove it yet.
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum wasn’t always an acclaimed actor, as he was usually the lead in romantic dramas, but the filmmakers quickly learned he had some amazing comedy chops. Whether it’s a small appearance in It is the end or a starring role in the meta Skip the street series, Tatum constantly surprised audiences.
The actor had been quietly on hiatus from the big screen, as he hadn’t played a major voiceless role since 2017 until this year. Dog and The lost city. Playing Duke Nukem might be the perfect big-screen comeback for an underrated comedy actor.
10 Actors Who Should Play Duke Nukem In The Movie Adaptation – GameSpot