Devil May Cry" Season 2: A Tribute to James Van Der Beek and Nu-Metal Nostalgia
"Devil May Cry" Season 2 has returned with a special tribute in the end credits of the first episode. The premiere episode, titled "The Fallen," featured a card honoring the late actor James Van Der Beek, who passed away earlier this year. Van Der Beek, known for his role in "Dawson's Creek," was not part of the cast of "Devil May Cry," but the show's creator, Adi Shankar, included the tribute as a farewell to his personal friend.
In an interview, Adi Shankar shared that his friendship with James Van Der Beek influenced the show's music choices. Shankar originally planned to use Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" in a fight scene but decided to remove it after Van Der Beek expressed his desire to use the song for a project he was working on. This decision was made as a tribute to his late friend and to maintain the show's musical identity, which heavily features nu-metal and early 2000s music.
"Devil May Cry" Season 2 continues to embrace its early 2000s aesthetic, with a soundtrack filled with nu-metal, punk rock, and emo music. The show's visual style and themes also reflect this era, with references to '90s movies and a unique take on political commentary. Season 1 ended with a nod to the Iraq War, and Season 2 delves deeper into political messages, showcasing black site detention centers and civilian torture. This blend of on-the-nose commentary and nostalgic soundtrack sets "Devil May Cry" apart from other video game adaptations, giving it a distinct identity.