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

This week, Netflix unveiled an exciting new trailer for their upcoming Devil May Cry anime, revealing that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously lend his voice to the adaptation. This announcement sparked curiosity about whether artificial intelligence had been used to recreate Conroy's distinctive voice. However, producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled these rumors via a tweet, confirming that Conroy had recorded his lines before his passing in November 2022, and assured fans that "no AI was used."

Shankar praised Conroy's contribution, stating, "Mr. Conroy gave an amazingly nuanced performance. It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him." Conroy, widely celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated films and TV series, takes on the role of VP Baines, a newly introduced character in the Devil May Cry series. His voice can be heard in the trailer's opening.

Conroy's posthumous work has continued to receive acclaim. In July 2024, he was praised for his performance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent following his untimely death at age 66, two-and-a-half years ago.

The official synopsis from Netflix teases, "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, has an impressive resume, including executive producing the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, developing the beloved Castlevania anime, and creating Netflix 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 within the video game and entertainment industries, both of which have faced significant layoffs recently. Generative AI has drawn criticism from fans and creators alike due to ethical and rights concerns, as well as its challenges in producing content that resonates with audiences.