This week, a new trailer for Netflix's Devil May Cry anime revealed that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This led some fans to speculate whether AI had been used to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly put those rumors to rest.
In a tweet, Shankar confirmed that Conroy was recorded before his passing in November 2022, and emphasized, "no AI used." He praised Conroy's performance, stating, "Mr. Conroy gave an amazingly nuanced performance. It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him."
Conroy, best known and celebrated for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated films and TV shows, takes on the role of VP Baines, a new character introduced in the Devil May Cry anime. His voice can be heard in the trailer's opening.
Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante and played Nero in the video games, also honored Conroy, saying, "It was an honor to work alongside Kevin Conroy for the upcoming DMC series. A true legend. Batman: The Animated Series redefined cartoons for me. For those wondering, our recording sessions took place a few years ago — animation takes quite some time to complete."
Conroy's posthumous performance was previously praised in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his work following his untimely death at the age of 66, two-and-a-half years ago.
According to Netflix's official synopsis, "Sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms. In the middle of it all is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unaware that the fate of both worlds hangs around his neck."
Adi Shankar, who also serves as the showrunner for the series, has an impressive resume. He was the executive producer on the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, developed the beloved Castlevania anime, and created Netflix series such as The Guardians of Justice and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon. He is also set to executive produce an adaptation of Assassin’s Creed.
Studio Mir, the renowned South Korean studio behind projects like The Legend of Korra and X-Men '97, will lead the production of this new series. Devil May Cry is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.
Generative AI remains a hot topic in the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. It has drawn criticism from fans and creators alike due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and the challenge of producing content that audiences enjoy.
