John Cena in talks to star in a Duke Nukem movie
And Michael Bay is involved.
Wrestler-turned-actor John Cena is in talks to star in a Duke Nukem film, according to movie industry publication The Hollywood Reporter.
![](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/duke_MQYgsa8.jpg?width=690&quality=75&format=jpg&auto=webp)
The Duke Nukem film is apparently set up at Paramount, which bought the movie rights from video game developer Gearbox. Platinum Dunes, a company co-run by Transformers head honcho Michael Bay, is set to produce.
There's no director nor a writer, but the idea is this Duke Nukem movie is a "starring vehicle" for Cena - if it ever comes out.
![](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/cena.jpg?width=690&quality=75&format=jpg&auto=webp)
Duke Nukem the video game character is in something of a dormant state. The musclebound, cigar-chomping politically incorrect space marine appears to have been consigned to history, a relic of a bygone era. The last time he appeared in a mainline Duke Nukem game was back in 2011 with the release of 3/10 shooter Duke Nukem Forever. Our reviewer Dan Whitehead called it a "gruesomely mangled resurrection". No-one tell John Cena.
Since then, poor Duke has been restricted to cameo appearances in other games, such as Choplifter HD and Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition, and the 2016 re-release of Duke Nukem 3D to coincide with its 20th anniversary.
If the film somehow manages to get off the ground, perhaps Duke will get his own movie tie-in game. Wouldn't that be nice?