This week, the trailer for Netflix's upcoming Devil May Cry anime series revealed that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This news sparked speculation about the use of AI to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled these rumors via a tweet, confirming that Conroy was recorded before his passing in November 2022 and that "no AI was used."
Shankar 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, renowned for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated films and TV shows, lends his voice to the character VP Baines in the Devil May Cry anime. You can hear his voiceover at the beginning of the trailer.
Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante and played Nero in the video games, shared his experience working with Conroy: "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 work continues to be celebrated. In July 2024, he received acclaim for his voice performance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3. Now, fans have another opportunity to enjoy his work following his passing 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, is known for his contributions to the entertainment industry. His portfolio includes executive producing the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, developing the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and creating Netflix series such as The Guardians of Justice and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon. Shankar is also set to executive produce an adaptation of Assassin’s Creed.
Kevin Conroy in 2021. Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images.The series will be produced by Studio Mir, a well-established South Korean studio known for their work on projects like The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. Devil May Cry is slated to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.
The topic of generative AI remains a hot button issue within the video game and entertainment industries, which have seen significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has faced criticism from fans and creators due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in producing content that resonates with audiences.
