This week, Netflix unveiled a new trailer for their upcoming Devil May Cry anime, revealing that the legendary voice actor Kevin Conroy, who passed away in November 2022, will posthumously lend his voice to the series. This announcement sparked speculation among fans about the use of AI to recreate Conroy's iconic voice. However, producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled these rumors, confirming via Twitter that Conroy's recordings were completed before his death and that "no AI was used."
Shankar praised Conroy's performance, calling it "amazingly nuanced" and expressing the honor of working with him. Conroy, celebrated for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated projects, takes on the role of VP Baines, a new character introduced in the anime. Fans can hear Conroy's voice at the beginning of the trailer.
Johnny Yong Bosch, the voice actor for Dante in the series and Nero in the video games, shared his experience working with Conroy, calling it an honor and acknowledging Conroy's impact on the animation industry through Batman: The Animated Series. Bosch clarified that the recordings were done years ago, highlighting the lengthy process of animation production.
Conroy's recent posthumous work in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3, released in July 2024, received widespread acclaim. Now, with Devil May Cry, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent following his passing at the age of 66.
According to Netflix's official synopsis, the series revolves around 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 also serves as the showrunner, is known 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 renowned 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.
The topic of generative AI remains a hot button issue in the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs. The use of AI has been met with criticism due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.
