This week, a new trailer for Netflix's Devil May Cry anime revealed that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This led some to wonder whether AI had been used to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, the anime's producer has confirmed that this is not the case.
In a tweet, producer Adi Shankar clarified that Conroy was recorded before his passing in November 2022, and emphasized, "no AI used." Shankar 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, celebrated for his long-standing role as the voice of 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 voiceover at the beginning of the trailer.
Dante's voice actor, Johnny Yong Bosch, who also 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."Back in July 2024, Conroy received acclaim for his posthumous voice performance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3. Now, fans have another opportunity to experience his work following his untimely passing two-and-a-half years ago at the age of 66.
According to the official synopsis provided by 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."
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 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.
Generative AI remains a hot topic within the video game and entertainment industries, which have both faced significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has drawn criticism from fans and creators due to ethical issues, rights concerns, and its challenges in producing content that audiences enjoy.
