This week, a newly released trailer for Netflix's upcoming Devil May Cry anime has sparked excitement among fans, particularly with the announcement that the legendary late voice actor Kevin Conroy will posthumously star in the series. Conroy, celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Bruce Wayne and Batman in numerous animated projects, will voice the character VP Baines in the anime. This revelation led to speculation about the use of AI to recreate Conroy's voice, but producer Adi Shankar quickly dispelled these rumors via a tweet, confirming that Conroy's recordings were completed before his passing in November 2022, and no AI was used.
Shankar praised Conroy's performance, describing it as "amazingly nuanced" and expressing the honor of working with him. Johnny Yong Bosch, who voices Dante in the series and previously played Nero in the video games, echoed Shankar's sentiments, highlighting the privilege of working with Conroy and noting that their recording sessions occurred years ago, reflecting the lengthy process of animation production.
Conroy's posthumous work continues to be celebrated, with his performance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 3 receiving acclaim in July 2024. Now, fans have another opportunity to appreciate his talent in the Devil May Cry anime, following his passing at the age of 66 two-and-a-half years ago.
The official synopsis from Netflix sets the stage for the series, detailing a plot where sinister forces aim to open a portal between the human and demon realms, with Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unwittingly at the center of the unfolding events.
Adi Shankar, who also serves as the showrunner, brings a wealth of experience to the project. Known for his roles in the 2012 Judge Dredd reboot, the acclaimed Castlevania anime, and Netflix series like The Guardians of Justice and Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon, Shankar is also set to executive produce an adaptation of Assassin’s Creed.
The production of Devil May Cry is in the capable hands of Studio Mir, a renowned South Korean studio known for their work on The Legend of Korra and X-Men ‘97. The series is slated for release on Netflix on April 3, 2025.
In the broader context, the use of generative AI remains a contentious issue within the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs. The technology has been criticized for ethical and rights concerns, as well as its challenges in creating content that resonates with audiences.
