This week, the excitement surrounding Netflix's new Devil May Cry anime trailer surged when it was revealed that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy would posthumously star in the video game adaptation. Speculation arose about the use of AI to recreate Conroy's iconic voice, but producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled those rumors via a tweet. Shankar confirmed that Conroy had recorded his part before his passing in November 2022, and emphasized, "no AI used." He praised Conroy’s performance as "amazingly nuanced," and expressed it was a "pleasure and an honor" to work with him.
Best known and celebrated as the longtime voice of Bruce Wayne and Batman, Conroy lends his voice to the character VP Baines in the Devil May Cry anime. This new role can be heard in the trailer's opening voiceover. Alongside Conroy, Dante's voice actor Johnny Yong Bosch, who also played Nero in the video games, shared his admiration for working with Conroy. Bosch noted, "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." He also clarified that their recording sessions occurred a few years ago, reflecting the lengthy process of animation.
Conroy's talent was previously recognized in July 2024 for his posthumous performance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his work following his untimely death two-and-a-half years ago at the age of 66.
According to Netflix's official synopsis, “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 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.
The chief production studio for the Devil May Cry series is Studio Mir, a well-regarded South Korean studio known for their work on projects like The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. The anime is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.
Generative AI continues to be a contentious topic within the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. The technology has been criticized by fans and creators alike due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and the challenge of creating content that resonates with audiences.
