Kevin Conroy Recorded for Devil May Cry Anime Before Passing, No AI Used: 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 revelation sparked speculation among fans about whether AI had been used to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, has put those rumors to rest.

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

Conroy, widely 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. This new character can be heard in a voiceover at the beginning of the trailer.

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

The official synopsis from Netflix describes the series: "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 serves as the showrunner, is 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.

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 chief production studio for the series. Devil May Cry is set to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

The use of generative AI remains a hot topic within the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has drawn criticism from both fans and creators due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in creating content that audiences genuinely enjoy.