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

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 announcement sparked speculation about whether AI had been used to recreate Conroy’s iconic voice. However, the anime’s producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these rumors via a tweet, confirming that Conroy was recorded before his passing in November 2022 and that "no AI was 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 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 series. Fans can hear his voiceover at the beginning of the trailer.

**Dante** voice actor Johnny Yong Bosch, who also voiced Nero in the video games, shared his admiration for 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."

In July 2024, Conroy received acclaim for his posthumous performance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3. Now, fans have another opportunity to hear his work following his passing at the age of 66, two-and-a-half years ago.

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 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. Shankar is also set to executive produce an adaptation of Assassin’s Creed.

Kevin Conroy in 2021. Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images.The series is being produced by Studio Mir, a renowned South Korean studio known for their work on projects like The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. Devil May Cry is slated for release on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

Generative AI remains a hot topic within the video game and entertainment industries, which have experienced significant layoffs in recent years. The use of generative AI has faced criticism from fans and creators alike due to ethical and rights issues, as well as its challenges in producing content that audiences enjoy.