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

This week, Netflix unveiled a new trailer for their upcoming Devil May Cry anime, revealing that the late, legendary voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the adaptation. Fans speculated about the use of AI to recreate Conroy's iconic voice, but producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled these rumors via Twitter, confirming that Conroy's recordings were completed prior to his passing in November 2022 and that "no AI was used."

Shankar praised Conroy's performance, describing it as "amazingly nuanced" and expressing the honor and pleasure of working with him. Conroy, celebrated for his role as Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated projects, takes on the role of VP Baines in the anime. His voice can be heard in the trailer's opening.

Conroy's posthumous voice work was previously acclaimed in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024, and now fans can look forward to hearing his performance in the Devil May Cry series following his passing at age 66 in 2022.

The official synopsis from Netflix teases a gripping narrative: "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, the series' showrunner, has an impressive portfolio including executive producing the 2012 Dredd film, developing the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and creating 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.

The topic of generative AI remains a hot button issue in the entertainment and video game industries, which have faced significant layoffs. AI has been criticized for ethical and rights concerns, as well as its challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.