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

This week, Netflix unveiled a new trailer for their Devil May Cry anime, revealing that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This announcement sparked speculation about the use of AI to recreate Conroy’s iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these rumors via a tweet, confirming that Conroy had recorded his parts 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, celebrated for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated films and TV shows, takes on the role of 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, 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 talent was previously recognized for his posthumous performance 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, "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 well-known for his work on projects like the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, the beloved Castlevania anime, and 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.

The Devil May Cry anime is being produced by Studio Mir, a renowned South Korean studio with credits including The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. The series is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

In the broader context, the use of generative AI remains a contentious issue within the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs recently. AI's application has been criticized by fans and creators alike due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.