Adi Shankar, the producer behind Netflix’s upcoming Devil May Cry anime, has revealed that his initial pitch was not the iconic hack-and-slash franchise, but rather a long-forgotten survival horror series from the late ’90s — Dino Crisis. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Shankar shared his passion for Dino Crisis and how it almost became his next project.
“I wanted to bring Dino Crisis back,” Shankar wrote. “The first game nailed the survival horror vibe, blending the suspense of Resident Evil with the sheer terror of being hunted by dinosaurs. Dino Crisis 2 took that up a notch with its fast-paced action and brilliant level design. But by Dino Crisis 3, the magic was gone, and it lost the very suspense that made it unique.”
Shankar went on to explain that, when he approached Capcom in 2017, his goal was clear: he wanted to revive the Dino Crisis series. However, fate took an unexpected turn. Rather than greenlighting a Dino Crisis revival, Capcom pitched him Devil May Cry.
“I never expected Devil May Cry to be on the table,” Shankar admitted. “But in an awesome twist of fate, they sold me on it instead. It was a huge surprise.”
This unexpected turn of events came two years before Devil May Cry V was officially announced at E3 2018. Shankar’s story provides a glimpse into the evolving landscape of video game franchises and the decisions that shape their futures. Interestingly, Devil May Cry V had almost been revealed earlier, in 2017, but Capcom chose to hold off until they could also showcase a remake of Resident Evil 2. The return to the Devil May Cry series came after the underwhelming reception of the 2013 reboot, DmC: Devil May Cry, developed by Ninja Theory.
As of now, Capcom has not announced any new Devil May Cry titles beyond the upcoming mobile game slated for 2024. Additionally, Hideaki Itsuno, the director behind several key entries in the Devil May Cry and Dragon’s Dogma series, recently left Capcom, which may delay further developments for the franchise.
The Decline of Dino Crisis and Capcom’s Revival Plans
The Dino Crisis series, which debuted in 1999, blended elements of Resident Evil with the thrills of Jurassic Park. The first two games were well-received for their innovative approach to survival horror, offering a gripping experience of being hunted by dinosaurs. However, Dino Crisis 3, released in 2003, took the series in a new direction by setting the action in space, leading to a sharp decline in interest and critical reception.
Despite the series’ abrupt end, Capcom has periodically teased the possibility of reviving Dino Crisis, though no official announcement has been made. The company has, however, revisited other nostalgic properties in recent years, such as the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster and the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, sparking hope that Dino Crisis could eventually see a revival.
The Future of Devil May Cry
Meanwhile, Shankar’s Devil May Cry anime series is set to premiere on Netflix in April 2025. Shankar, known for his work on the critically acclaimed Castlevania anime, is aiming to bring the same level of intensity and quality to Devil May Cry. Shankar’s involvement is seen as a promising sign for the anime’s potential, with many fans eager to see how the series translates to the small screen.
Shankar’s previous successes with Castlevania — which helped reignite interest in video game-based animated series — have raised expectations for Devil May Cry. Additionally, season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne is set to premiere in January 2025, showcasing Shankar’s continued involvement in the world of video game adaptations.
As Capcom continues to focus on their active franchises like Devil May Cry, fans can only hope that one day, Dino Crisis may also return to the spotlight, thanks to the vision of producers like Adi Shankar.
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