Kevin Conroy Recorded for Devil May Cry Anime Before Passing, No AI Used: Producer Confirms

This week, fans of the iconic voice actor Kevin Conroy were thrilled to learn that he will posthumously star in Netflix's upcoming Devil May Cry anime. Conroy, who passed away in November 2022, lends his voice to the character VP Baines in the series. Amid speculation about the use of AI to recreate his voice, producer Adi Shankar took to Twitter to clarify that Conroy's performance was recorded before his death, and no AI was used. Shankar praised Conroy's "amazingly nuanced performance," expressing both pleasure and honor in working with him.

Best known for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated projects, Conroy's contribution to the Devil May Cry anime can be heard in the trailer's opening voiceover. Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante and previously played Nero in the video games, also shared his admiration for Conroy, noting that their recording sessions occurred years ago due to the lengthy animation process.

Conroy's posthumous work was previously celebrated in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent in this new series, following his passing at the age of 66.

The official synopsis from Netflix describes the series as a tale of sinister forces attempting to open a portal between the human and demon realms, with Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, at the center of the unfolding events.

Adi Shankar, who serves as the showrunner, is renowned for his work on projects like the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot, the Castlevania anime, and 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.

The series is being produced by Studio Mir, a South Korean studio known for their work on The Legend of Korra and X-Men '97. Devil May Cry is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

In the broader context, the use of generative AI remains a contentious issue within the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs. AI's application has sparked debates over ethics, rights, and its ability to create content that resonates with audiences.