Bad news for those of you looking forward to Rocksteady's upcoming third Batman game. The man who portrayed the caped crusader in both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, Kevin Conroy, will not be returning for Arkham Origins.
According to Kotaku, because it's an origin story, as the name of the game implies, players will be interacting with a much younger Bruce Wayne. Which is why the developers want to go with someone who sounds younger. Makes sense, right?
But still, to many, Conroy IS Batman. Perhaps even more so than any of the live action actors who have donned the cape and cowl, including Adam West, Michael Keaton, and Christian Bale.
Conroy has been the voice of Batman since the original Animates Series, way back since 1992. In every single animated instance of Batman, Conroy has been cast, and he's played the role for just as long in video games as well.
Conroy's first stab as Batman in a game dates all the way back to The Adventures of Batman & Robin, for the Sega CD, in 1994. Again, Conroy has been the voice of Batman in pretty much ever single video game appearance, with his most recent stint being Injustice.
This is basically the second major blow as it pertains to voice acting for the game. It's already common knowledge that Mark Hamill will not be reprising his role as the Joker. It's the same story as Conroy; what began as a role in Batman: The Animated Series has grown to cover countless other shows, games, even amusement rides and toys.
Plus, let us not forgetting how David Hayter was not asked back to reprise the role of Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid 5. These are dark days for beloved voice actors it would seem.