You know that smooth, slightly raspy, "gentleman thief" voice that defined a whole generation of PlayStation 2 kids? That’s Kevin Miller. If you grew up holding a DualShock controller, dodging spotlights in Paris or pickpocketing guards in feudal Japan, his voice is basically the soundtrack to your childhood.
Honestly, it is rare to see a voice actor become so inseparable from a character that fans literally revolt at the idea of anyone else taking the reins. But that's exactly what happened with Kevin Miller Sly Cooper fans. When a movie trailer dropped years ago with a different voice, the internet didn't just notice. They threw a fit.
The Man Behind the Blue Mask
Kevin Miller didn't just walk into a booth and read lines. He built a character. Since the original Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus launched in 2002, Miller has been the heart of the Cooper Gang. He voiced the master thief through the original Sucker Punch trilogy and returned for the 2013 revival Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time.
It's funny how things start. Miller was a young actor in the early 2000s, doing improv and landing roles in games like Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi 3. Then came the raccoon. He brought a specific blend of overconfidence and genuine warmth that made Sly feel like more than just a mascot.
Most people don't realize he's also an accomplished improv comedian. He’s spent years performing with groups like ComedySportz. That timing? That wit? It’s not just the script. It’s him.
What Really Happened with the Sly Cooper Movie?
This is where things get messy. In 2014, a teaser trailer for a Sly Cooper movie appeared. It looked high-budget. It looked slick. But there was a problem.
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Sly didn't sound like Sly.
The studio, Rainmaker Entertainment, had cast Ian James Corlett instead. Fans were devastated. Kevin Miller himself was classy about it, but he’s been open in interviews—like his 2025 chat with Canadian Guy Eh—about the fact that he wasn't even asked to audition. He was ready. He wanted to do it. The fans wanted him to do it.
Ultimately, the movie died in development hell after the Ratchet & Clank film underperformed. In a weird way, fans felt a sense of relief. If we couldn't have Miller, maybe we didn't want the movie at all.
Why he still matters in 2026
Even though we haven't had a new game in over a decade, Kevin Miller is still incredibly active. He isn't hiding in some Hollywood mansion. He’s on Twitch. He’s on Discord. He’s literally talking to fans every single week.
He hosts the Gamerland Podcast (formerly The Second Funniest Podcast) with Justin Worsham. They talk about games, life, and yes, the constant rumors of a Sly 5. Miller has become a bit of an unofficial community manager for the franchise. He keeps the hope alive.
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- Twitch Streaming: You can often find him at THEKevinMiller, interacting directly with the people who grew up playing his games.
- Voice Coaching: He actually teaches others how to break into the industry now.
- Indie Projects: He’s still acting, recently voicing characters like Nox in PaperKlay.
The "Sly 5" Question
Every time Miller does an interview, someone asks: "Is it happening?"
The truth is frustrating. Miller has confirmed that Sanzaru Games (the developers of the fourth game) had big plans. There was an Egypt level in the works. There were scripts. But Sony shifted focus. Sanzaru moved on to other things before being acquired by Meta.
Miller remains the biggest cheerleader for a revival. He’s stated multiple times that he would return "in a heartbeat." For him, it isn't just a job he had twenty years ago. It’s a legacy.
He recently mentioned that the "lost" Egypt DLC for Thieves in Time was a very real thing that just got caught in the gears of the entertainment industry. It wasn't for lack of passion. It was just business.
More Than Just a Thief
If you look at Miller’s resume, it’s a trip through gaming history. The House of the Dead III. Virtua Cop 3. Dynasty Warriors 9. He’s been everywhere. Yet, the raccoon remains the anchor.
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It’s rare for a voice actor to maintain this kind of relationship with a fandom for 25 years. Most actors move on. They get bored. Miller didn't. He leaned in. He became a part of the community he helped create.
That is why, even in 2026, the name Kevin Miller is synonymous with Sly Cooper. You can't have one without the other. It would be like recastng Mark Hamill’s Joker or David Hayter’s Snake. Sure, you could do it, but why would you want to?
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to support the voice behind the mask and keep the spirit of the Cooper Gang alive, here is how you can actually engage with Kevin Miller's work today:
- Check out the Gamerland Podcast: It’s the best way to hear his unfiltered thoughts on the industry and the history of the series.
- Follow him on Twitch: Search for THEKevinMiller. He’s famously accessible and often shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Sucker Punch and Sanzaru eras.
- Support his indie work: Look for games like PaperKlay where he continues to bring his unique energy to new characters.
- Stay Vocal: Sony pays attention to social media sentiment. If you want a Sly 5 or a remake, tagging the official PlayStation accounts and mentioning the original cast is the most effective way to show there is still a market for Kevin Miller’s iconic voice.