Val Kilmer will appear in the upcoming film “As Deep as the Grave” through generative AI, despite never having filmed a single scene before his death in 2025. Coerte Voorhees reports for Variety that the late actor was originally cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, but throat cancer prevented him from reaching the set.
The production has recreated Kilmer using both archival images supplied by his family and footage from his later years. His AI-generated voice also draws on existing audio, including recordings made after a tracheal procedure damaged his natural voice. The character’s tuberculosis mirrors Kilmer’s real condition, which the filmmakers describe as a narrative bridge.
Kilmer’s estate and his daughter Mercedes have given their approval. “He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling,” she said in a statement. The production followed SAG guidelines and compensated the estate for his likeness.
The film, a true story about archaeologists excavating Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, also stars Tom Felton, Abigail Lawrie, Wes Studi, and Abigail Breslin. It has been in production for six years, partly due to COVID-related shutdowns.
The Voorhees brothers acknowledge the decision may draw criticism but argue it demonstrates ethical AI use. Kilmer himself previously partnered with AI company Sonantic to recreate his voice for “Top Gun: Maverick” in 2022.
