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

This week, fans of the iconic video game series were treated to a new trailer for Netflix's Devil May Cry anime, which revealed that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the adaptation. Conroy, celebrated for his role as Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated films and TV shows, will voice the new character VP Baines in the series. Some fans speculated that AI technology might have been used to recreate Conroy's voice, given his passing in November 2022. However, producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled these rumors in a tweet, confirming that Conroy had recorded his part before his death and that "no AI was used." Shankar praised Conroy's "amazingly nuanced performance," expressing the honor and pleasure of working with him.

Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante in the anime and played Nero in the video games, echoed Shankar's sentiments. He shared that working with Conroy was an honor and highlighted the impact of Batman: The Animated Series on his perception of cartoons. Bosch also clarified that the recording sessions occurred several years ago, a testament to the lengthy process of animation production.

Conroy's posthumous work continues to be celebrated, with his performance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 receiving acclaim in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to experience his talent in the upcoming Devil May Cry series.

The official synopsis from Netflix sets the stage for a thrilling 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, who serves as the showrunner for the series, is well-known for his work on projects like the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, the beloved Castlevania anime, and Netflix series such as The Guardians of Justice and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon. Shankar is also set to executive produce an adaptation of Assassin’s Creed.

Studio Mir, the South Korean studio renowned for their work on The Legend of Korra and X-Men '97, will handle the production of this new series. Devil May Cry is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

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