This week, Netflix unveiled a new trailer for their upcoming Devil May Cry anime, revealing that the late, legendary voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously lend his voice to the series. This announcement sparked speculation about the use of AI to recreate Conroy's voice, but producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled these rumors. In a tweet, Shankar confirmed that Conroy had recorded his lines before his passing in November 2022, emphasizing, "no AI used."
Shankar praised Conroy's performance, describing it as "amazingly nuanced" and expressing the honor and pleasure of working with him. Conroy, celebrated for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman across numerous animated films and TV shows, takes on the role of VP Baines in the anime. His voice can be heard at the beginning of the trailer, which you can watch below.
Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante and previously played Nero in the Devil May Cry video games, shared his admiration for Conroy, 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." Bosch clarified that their recording sessions occurred years ago, highlighting the lengthy process of animation production.
Conroy's posthumous performance was previously acclaimed in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his work following his passing at age 66, two-and-a-half years ago.
Netflix's official synopsis teases a gripping 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, 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.
The series will be brought to life by Studio Mir, a reputable 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 entertainment and video game industries have been grappling with the implications of generative AI, a topic that has gained significant attention amid recent layoffs. Generative AI has faced criticism from both fans and creators over ethical concerns, rights issues, and its ability to create content that resonates with audiences.
