Kevin Conroy Recorded for Devil May Cry Anime Before Passing, No AI Involved: Producer Confirms

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 to speculation among fans about whether AI had been used to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these rumors.

In a tweet, Shankar confirmed that Conroy was recorded before his passing in November 2022, and no AI was used in his performance. "Mr. Conroy gave an amazingly nuanced performance," Shankar stated. "It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him."

Conroy, celebrated for his long-standing role as the voice of 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. Fans can hear his voiceover at the beginning of the trailer.

Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante and played Nero in the video games, also 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 voice performance was previously praised in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 back in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to hear his work following his untimely passing two-and-a-half years ago at the age of 66.

According to the official synopsis from Netflix, "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, is well-known for his work as an executive producer on the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, developing the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and creating other Netflix series like 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, a renowned South Korean studio known for their work on projects like The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97, will serve as the primary production studio for this series. Devil May Cry is set to be released on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

The topic of generative AI remains highly relevant within the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has sparked debate due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.