This week, a new trailer for Netflix’s Devil May Cry anime unveiled that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This revelation sparked speculation about the use of AI to recreate Conroy’s iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these rumors.
In a tweet, Shankar confirmed that Conroy's recordings were completed before his passing in November 2022, emphasizing "no AI 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, renowned and celebrated for his role as 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 the trailer's opening voiceover.
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 posthumous voice work was previously acclaimed in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent following his passing at the age of 66, two-and-a-half years ago.
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 also serves as the showrunner, is known for his work on the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, the acclaimed 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 topic of generative AI remains a hot issue 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 challenges in producing content that audiences truly enjoy.
