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 revelation sparked curiosity among fans about whether artificial intelligence (AI) had been used to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, the anime's producer has quickly dispelled these rumors.
In a tweet, producer Adi Shankar clarified that Conroy was recorded before his passing in November 2022, and emphasized, "no AI used." Shankar praised Conroy's performance, stating, "Mr. Conroy gave it [sic] an amazingly nuanced performance. It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him."
Conroy, renowned for his role as 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 sequence.
Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante in the series and previously played Nero in the video games, also shared his thoughts: "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 celebrated in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his work following his passing at the age of 66, two-and-a-half years ago.
According to Netflix's official synopsis, "Devil May Cry centers around sinister forces attempting to open a portal between the human and demon realms. Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, finds himself unwittingly pivotal to the fate of both worlds."
Adi Shankar, who also serves as the showrunner, is well-known for his work as an executive producer on the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, developing the beloved Castlevania anime, and creating 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.
Kevin Conroy in 2021. Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images.The series is being produced by Studio Mir, a prominent South Korean studio known for their work on projects like The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. Devil May Cry is slated for release on Netflix on April 3, 2025.
The topic of generative AI remains a hot button issue in the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has been met with criticism from both fans and creators over ethical concerns, rights issues, and its inability to consistently produce content that resonates with audiences.
