Duke Nukem Fan Art Imagines John Cena as the Wisecracking Action Hero

The live-action Duke Nukem movie may have fizzled out in development hell, but many fans are still hoping to see it finally come to fruition. Because of his physical resemblance to the video game character, John Cena has long been seen by many as a perfect choice for the part. In 2018, it was reported that Cena would indeed play Duke in a movie for Paramount Pictures and Platinum Dunes, but with no significant updates on its progress since.

Not everyone has forgotten about this project. One fan pleaded with the digital artist BossLogic to release some artwork of Cena in a Duke Nukem movie to further prove how excellent he would look as that character. BossLogic seems to agree as the artist obliged by posting a mockup poster of the unmade Duke Nukem film. He most definitely looks the part as you can see by checking out the faux poster.

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Duke Nukem has been appearing in video games for three decades. His most popular adventure came in the 1996 computer game Duke Nukem 3D, one of the most memorable games of its era. Many sequels would arrive on various consoles over the coming years, culminating with Duke Nukem 3D: World Tour in 2016. Given his name and that he’s a walking cliche of an action movie hero, Duke Nukem seems like he would lend himself well to a fun popcorn flick.

“I think that’s the direct attachment and I’m very honored to be attached to that but that is a very fragile franchise,” Cena told Screen Rant in 2018, referring to his reported casting. “That was one that was very timeline specific, that is 1990s to the hilt. So, once again, it reflects upon story. The story has to come in dead-on balls, man. Like it has to come in told correct, told in a palatable sense for this generation, which you’re walking on eggshells…you can’t not be Duke Nukem, but you can’t make the wrong move…so I’m…what a blessing to be attached to that, a name like that, and I just hope development does the franchise justice.”

Related: Peacemaker Star John Cena Was ‘Rejected’ by Marvel Multiple Times

John Cena Found Another Starring Role in HBO Max’s Peacemaker

Warner Bros.

We may never see John Cena as Duke Nukem, but the actor and WWE superstar has found great success in the DCEU. He first debuted as the Peacemaker character in The Suicide Squad and was the only character (at least so far) to be given his own spinoff series on HBO Max as a result. The show recently started streaming and James Gunn and Cena have both teased future seasons of the show if Warner Bros. wants to make them.

John Cena will also likely return in Fast 10 after making his Fast & Furious debut in F9. The actor recently said, “I can tell you this: you probably won’t see me in Fast 10 dressed like [Peacemaker], but I really hope you see me in Fast 10. I know they’re gearing up for production and I would love nothing more than to return to the franchise. I’m a big fan myself.”

Peacemaker is now streaming on HBO Max.

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Jeremy Dick
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Jeremy Dick has been a writer and editor since 2014. He is a self-professed horror expert, pop culture enthusiast, and Bob Saget fanatic.

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