Kevin Conroy Recorded for Devil May Cry Anime Before Death, No AI Used: Producer Confirms

This week, Netflix unveiled a new trailer for its upcoming Devil May Cry anime, revealing that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously lend his voice to the video game adaptation. Fans speculated about the use of AI to recreate Conroy’s iconic voice, but the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled those rumors. In a tweet, Shankar confirmed that Conroy had recorded his part before his passing in November 2022, and emphasized, "no AI used." He praised Conroy's performance, saying, “Mr. Conroy gave an amazingly nuanced performance. It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him.”

Best known for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman across numerous animated projects, Conroy takes on the role of VP Baines, a new character introduced in the series. His voice can be heard in the trailer’s opening, adding depth to the narrative. Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante and previously played Nero in the video games, shared his experience working with 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 talent was recently celebrated for his posthumous role in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. 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, the series revolves around sinister forces attempting to open a portal between the human and demon realms. At the heart of the story is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, who is unaware that the fate of both worlds rests on his shoulders.

Adi Shankar, who serves as the showrunner, is known for his diverse portfolio, including executive producing the 2012 film Dredd, developing the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and creating other 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, a renowned South Korean studio with credits including The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97, will handle the production of the series. Devil May Cry is slated for release on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

In the broader context, generative AI remains a hot topic within the video game and entertainment industries, both of which have faced significant layoffs recently. The use of AI has drawn criticism due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.