A digital recreation of Val Kilmer will appear posthumously in the indie film As Deep as the Grave, after his estate approved the AI use of his likeness. Producers say the move honors Kilmer’s love for emerging technology, with his daughter Mercedes Kilmer supporting the project
Val Kilmer
A year after the passing of actor Val Kilmer, a digitally recreated version of him is set to appear in an independent film. Production company First Line Films announced that Kilmer will feature posthumously in the movie As Deep as the Grave. According to the producers, Kilmer had originally agreed to act in the project but was unable to do so because of his declining health.
Val Kilmer's daughter approves AI-version of her father
Kilmer's estate granted approval for the creation of a digital likeness and is being compensated for its use. Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, shared that the role felt meaningful to her father. She noted that he embraced new technologies and viewed them as tools that could expand storytelling possibilities, adding that the film honors that forward-looking spirit and his deep connection to the project.
Kilmer passed away last April at 65 due to pneumonia. Years earlier, in 2014, he had been diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent two tracheotomies. After losing his natural speaking voice, he collaborated with an AI company to recreate it digitally. His final on-screen appearance was in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), where his voice was technologically modified.
AI use in cinema
Artificial intelligence has become one of Hollywood’s most debated developments in recent years. Some companies have increasingly explored AI-generated performers. For instance, Xicoia introduced a fully AI-created persona named Tilly Norwood last year and recently released a music video featuring the digital character.
Filmmaker Coerte Voorhees and producer John Voorhees said they complied with SAG regulations. They emphasized that the production aims to demonstrate an ethical model for using AI, particularly when working with a deceased actor’s estate and family.
The film, previously titled Canyon of the Dead, was shot years ago but remained in postproduction. Inspired by real events, it tells the story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, whose excavations in Arizona revealed important Native American history.
In the film, Kilmer’s AI recreation portrays Father Fintan, a Catholic priest with Native American spiritual ties. The ensemble cast also includes Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Wes Studi, and Abigail Breslin.
Voorhees explained that Kilmer—who identified as part Native American—felt a strong cultural and spiritual connection to the project when he joined it five years ago. Producers are now seeking distribution and hope to release the film this year. He added that while Kilmer’s health prevented him from performing the role in person, the team is honored to work with Mercedes Kilmer, whose filmmaking experience has helped bring the character to life as originally envisioned.
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