Devil May Cry Anime Producer Confirms Kevin Conroy Was Recorded Before He Passed Away: ‘No AI Used’

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 star in the adaptation. This announcement sparked curiosity among fans about whether AI technology was used to recreate Conroy’s iconic voice. However, producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled these rumors via a tweet, confirming that Conroy had recorded his part before his passing in November 2022 and that "no AI was used."

Shankar praised Conroy’s performance, describing it as "amazingly nuanced" and expressed that it was both a pleasure and an honor to collaborate with him. Conroy, celebrated for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman across numerous animated films and TV shows, takes on the role of VP Baines, a new character introduced in the Devil May Cry anime. His voice can be heard at the beginning of the trailer, which is embedded below.

Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante in the series and played Nero in the video games, also shared his sentiments, stating, "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 performance was previously lauded in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 back in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his work following his passing two-and-a-half years ago at the age of 66.

The official synopsis from Netflix outlines the series' plot: “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, is renowned for his contributions to the entertainment industry. His portfolio includes executive producing the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, developing the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and creating 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.

Kevin Conroy in 2021. Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images.

The production of the Devil May Cry series is being handled by Studio Mir, a reputable South Korean studio known for their work on projects like The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. The series is slated for release 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 been met with criticism from both fans and creators due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.