Duke Nukem Animated Series: Gearbox Controls Rights as Scott Miller Clarifies Involvement

Duke Nukem Animated Series: Gearbox Controls Rights as Scott Miller Clarifies Involvement The legendary Duke Nukem franchise is set to make a return to the spotlight with an all-new animated series helmed by acclaimed producer Adi Shankar.

Known for his work on highly successful video game adaptions such as Netflix’s Castlevania and Devil May Cry, Shankar recently acquired the rights to develop an animated adaptation of Duke Nukem, aiming to breathe new life into a series that defined an era of first-person shooters. For decades, Duke Nukem has been a staple in gaming culture, first debuting under Apogee Software in the early 1990s.

The franchise rose to global prominence with Duke Nukem 3D, which quickly became a cult classic.

However, the property has since changed hands, with Gearbox Software currently managing the Duke Nukem intellectual property across platforms including PC, consoles, and notably, the Nintendo Switch via re-releases and eShop availability. Responding to the recent news of the animated rights and Shankar’s playful comments on social media regarding the character, Scott Miller—co-creator of Duke Nukem and founder of Apogee Software—publicly clarified his and his studio’s current position.

Miller stated, "It’s been more than a decade since Apogee had any involvement with Duke Nukem.

The rights are with Gearbox now, so our role is just that of enthusiastic fans.

The future of Duke’s legacy is in their hands." Miller also extended a genuine message of support for the new project, adding, "I’m rooting for Adi Shankar and hope this new series can restore Duke Nukem to his former renown." Adi Shankar, aware of both the franchise’s divisive legacy and the expectations of fans, assured his followers that the animated adaptation will not dilute Duke Nukem’s iconic attitude.

In direct response to concerns about the character being toned down, Shankar affirmed his intention to fully embrace the character’s edgier side—a hallmark that made Duke a standout figure in gaming history. The animated series arrives at a time of renewed interest in long-standing video game properties, with streaming platforms like Netflix successfully revitalizing classic franchises for new and returning audiences.

Gearbox has leveraged the legacy of Duke Nukem with ongoing digital releases and reimaginings, particularly on the Nintendo Switch eShop, where the series maintains a robust presence. While production details and release dates for the Duke Nukem animated series remain unannounced, the verified involvement of influential industry figures positions the project as one to watch.

As Gearbox continues to safeguard Duke’s legacy, fans can look forward to a fresh take on one of gaming’s most iconic—and unapologetically bold—personalities.

Gearbox Adi Shankar Duke Nukem Scott Miller Apogee Software Nintendo Switch Netflix Castlevania Devil May Cry