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Val Kilmer's AI Resurrection in 'As Deep as the Grave' Sparks Ethical Debate

The trailer for 'As Deep as the Grave' reveals the use of generative AI to include the late Val Kilmer, who was too ill to film his role before his death. The filmmakers collaborated with Kilmer's estate and daughter, Mercedes, to create what they call an ethical application of the controversial technology. Kilmer plays Father Fintan, a character that resonates with the actor's Native American heritage and love of the American Southwest. The film, directed by Coerte Voorhees, tells the story of archaeologist Ann Axtell Morris and features a substantial AI-generated performance from Kilmer.

Key Points: AI Revives Val Kilmer in New Film 'As Deep as the Grave'

  • AI recreates late actor's performance
  • Made with family's cooperation
  • Kilmer's role is over an hour long
  • Film draws on his heritage
2 min read

'As Deep as the Grave' makers use AI to include late actor Val Kilmer's role in film

See how AI and the late Val Kilmer's estate ethically created his role in 'As Deep as the Grave,' a film about a female archaeologist.

'As Deep as the Grave' makers use AI to include late actor Val Kilmer's role in film
"He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling. - Mercedes Kilmer"

Washington DC [US April 16

The makers have released the trailer of 'As Deep as the Grave', offering a glimpse at the AI technology that was used to create Val Kilmer's performance, reported Variety.

Kilmer, who died in 2025 after battling throat cancer, was cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, but was too sick to shoot his role. With the cooperation of Kilmer's estate and his daughter Mercedes, the 'As Deep as the Grave' team used generative AI to include the actor in the finished film, reported Variety.

The trailer was first showcased at the CinemaCon, which showcased Kilmer at various ages, at one point, he's a spectral, ghost-like figure; at another, he's a dashing, 30-something man of the cloth.

"Don't fear the dead and don't fear me," Kilmer tells a child at one point, kneeling down to look her straight in the eyes.

The film is written and directed by Coerte Voorhees and produced by his brother, John Voorhees. The duo argue that they have found an ethical way to use the controversial technology because they have worked in concert with Kilmer's family.

They note that the film, which tells the story of Ann Axtell Morris, one of this country's first female archaeologists, and her excavation of the Canyon De Chelly in Arizona, resonated strongly with Kilmer.

"It was very much designed around him," Coerte Voorhees told Variety last month. "It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest. His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this."

Coerte Voorhees revealed at CinemaCon that Kilmer's role is substantial and his character will appear in over an hour of the movie.

In a statement, Mercedes Kilmer said that her father would have wanted to be included in "As Deep as the Grave," reported Variety.

"He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling," Mercedes Kilmer said.

"This spirit is something that we are all honouring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part," added Mercedes as quoted by Variety.

Apart from the lead cast, the film also stars Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, Tatanka Means, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Wes Studi and Finn Jones.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Technology is amazing! If this helps complete an artist's vision and their family supports it, why not? In India, we've seen digital recreations in older films too. It's all about intent and consent.
R
Rohit P
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it's a great way to honor him, especially since the story connected to his heritage. On the other, it sets a precedent. Will studios start using AI to replace living actors next? That's the real worry.
S
Sarah B
The ethical part is key. They worked with the estate, which makes all the difference. It's not some studio just exploiting his image. His daughter's statement gives me confidence this was done right.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I must disagree with the "ethical way" claim. An actor's performance is their living art. Recreating it with AI, even with family permission, feels like creating a puppet. It diminishes the craft of acting that requires a human presence. We should let artists rest.
M
Meera T
The story itself sounds interesting – a female archaeologist in the Southwest. And having Wes Studi in the cast is a plus! If the AI helps tell this story that Kilmer believed in, then maybe it's okay this one time. But the industry needs strict rules on this.

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