TL;DR
- Val Kilmer returns via AI in ‘As Deep as the Grave’.
- The film features his digitally recreated likeness with family approval.
- Kilmer portrays a priest in a historical drama.
- The use of AI has sparked debate in Hollywood.
- Filmmakers adhered to industry guidelines for consent.
Hold onto your popcorn, folks, because Val Kilmer is making a jaw-dropping return to the big screen, and it’s all thanks to artificial intelligence! The late actor’s digitally recreated likeness is featured in the first trailer for the indie film ‘As Deep as the Grave’, unveiled at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Talk about a plot twist!
Directed by Coerte Voorhees, this historical drama stars a lineup that includes Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, and Abigail Breslin. It tells the story of real-life archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris as they dig up the remains of the Ancestral Puebloans in the 1920s. But the real showstopper? Kilmer, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 65, takes on the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. In the trailer, he chillingly warns, “Don’t fear the dead, and don’t fear me.” Spooky, right?
Originally cast in the role years ago, Kilmer was unable to film due to his declining health. But with the blessing of his estate, including daughter Mercedes, filmmakers harnessed the power of generative AI to recreate his performance using archival footage. The results? A mix of Kilmer at various life stages, from a youthful priest to a ghostly apparition. Talk about a resurrection!
The decision to use AI has stirred up quite the controversy in Hollywood. Speaking at CinemaCon, Voorhees emphasized that the team collaborated closely with Kilmer’s family and adhered to industry guidelines. “Val Kilmer influenced this performance,” he stated, highlighting the importance of consent and collaboration. Producer John Voorhees acknowledged the risks involved but reassured that the production followed SAG-AFTRA standards, ensuring Kilmer’s estate was compensated and involved in the project.
Interestingly, Kilmer himself dabbled in AI tech during his lifetime. After losing his natural voice to throat cancer, he worked with software to recreate it, which was later utilized in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’. So, it seems this tech-savvy star was ahead of his time!
Production on ‘As Deep as the Grave’ kicked off in 2020 in New Mexico but hit some bumps due to the pandemic. Instead of recasting Kilmer’s role, the team decided to innovate and find a way to incorporate his character into the story. Before he passed, Kilmer was vocal about his health struggles, but he also expressed excitement about his projects.
“We were so glad they were so excited and so supportive of the idea,” Voorhees said, referring to Kilmer’s family. “We didn’t want to do it unless everybody thought this was going to work properly.” And it looks like it’s all coming together, with Kilmer appearing on screen for over an hour!
While a release date is still under wraps, one thing’s for sure: Val Kilmer’s legacy is far from over, and this AI comeback is bound to ignite conversations about technology and ethics in the film industry. So, grab your tissues and get ready for an emotional rollercoaster as we await this groundbreaking film!