This week, a new trailer for Netflix’s Devil May Cry anime unveiled that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the video game adaptation. This revelation sparked curiosity among fans about whether AI technology was used to recreate Conroy’s iconic voice. However, the anime's producer, Adi Shankar, quickly dispelled these rumors.

In a tweet, Shankar confirmed that Conroy was recorded prior to his passing in November 2022 and emphasized that “no AI was used.” He praised Conroy's performance, stating, “Mr. Conroy gave it [sic] an amazingly nuanced performance. It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with him.”

Conroy, renowned for voicing Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated films and TV series, takes on the role of VP Baines in the Devil May Cry anime. This new character can be heard in the trailer's opening voiceover.

Conroy's posthumous voice work was previously celebrated in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 back in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent following his untimely passing 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 known for his work as executive producer on the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot film Dredd, developing the acclaimed 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.

Kevin Conroy in 2021. Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/[ttpp].Studio Mir, a well-established South Korean studio known for their work on popular projects like The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97, will serve as the chief production studio for this new series. Devil May Cry is slated to premiere on Netflix on April 3, 2025.

The topic of generative AI remains a hot-button issue within the video game and entertainment industries, which have experienced significant layoffs in recent years. Generative AI has faced backlash from both fans and creators over ethical concerns, rights issues, and its challenges in producing content that audiences find engaging.