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 legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously take on the role of VP Baines in the video game adaptation. The announcement sparked curiosity among fans, with many wondering if AI technology was used to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, producer Adi Shankar swiftly addressed these concerns in a tweet, confirming that Conroy recorded his lines 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 of working with him. Conroy, renowned for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated projects, brings his talent to the new character VP Baines, whose voice can be heard in the trailer.

Johnny Yong Bosch, the voice of Dante in the *Devil May Cry* series and previously Nero in the video games, shared his sentiments on 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 has previously been acclaimed in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 back in July 2024. Fans now have another opportunity to experience his remarkable talent following his passing at the age of 66, two-and-a-half years ago.

The official synopsis from Netflix sets the stage for the series: “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, having worked as an executive producer on the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot, developing the beloved 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.

Studio Mir, a renowned South Korean studio known for their work on The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97, will be the primary production studio for the 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 faced significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has sparked debates over ethical concerns, rights issues, and its ability to create content that resonates with audiences.