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 curiosity among fans about whether AI technology had been used to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these speculations.
In a tweet, Shankar confirmed that Conroy had recorded his part before his passing in November 2022 and emphasized that "no AI was used." He further 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."
Kevin Conroy, best known and celebrated for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated films and TV shows, takes on the role of VP Baines, a new character introduced in the Devil May Cry anime. Conroy's voice can be heard in the trailer's opening voiceover.
Dante's voice actor, Johnny Yong Bosch, who 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 posthumous work was previously acclaimed in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to hear his voice in this new series, following his passing at the age of 66, two-and-a-half years ago.
According to the official synopsis from Netflix, "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 for the series, 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 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, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has been met with criticism from both fans and creators due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and the technology's difficulty in producing content that resonates with audiences.
