AI Recreation of Val Kilmer to Appear in Upcoming Film ‘As Deep as the Grave’

An upcoming independent feature will include a digitally recreated performance by Val Kilmer, marking one of the latest instances of artificial intelligence being used to extend an actor’s presence on screen after their death.

Producers of As Deep as the Grave, an action-adventure drama currently in development, confirmed that Kilmer’s likeness will be generated using AI technology for a role he was originally cast in but was unable to film. The announcement was made jointly by Kilmer’s estate and First Line Films.

Kilmer, who died in April 2025 after a prolonged battle with throat cancer, had been attached to the project for several years. According to the production team, he was set to portray Father Fintan, a Catholic priest connected to the film’s central narrative. However, his declining health prevented him from participating in principal photography.

Rather than recasting the role, the filmmakers chose to move forward using a digital recreation of Kilmer’s likeness. Details about the specific technology used, as well as the extent of his screen presence, have not been disclosed.

The decision reflects a growing trend within the film industry, where advancements in generative AI and visual effects are increasingly being used to recreate actors’ performances. While similar techniques have been used in recent years, each new case continues to raise questions about authorship, consent, and the boundaries of performance.

In this instance, Kilmer’s estate approved the use of his image, with his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, also involved in the process. As Deep as the Grave centers on real-life archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, played by Abigail Lawrie and Tom Felton. The film focuses on their work in the American Southwest during the early 20th century, particularly their research in Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly and their interactions with Navajo communities.

Director and writer Coerte Voorhees said Kilmer had been drawn to the role when he joined the project approximately five years ago, citing both its historical setting and spiritual themes. According to Voorhees, the character of Father Fintan held personal significance for the actor, which contributed to the decision to preserve his involvement in the film.

Production on the film continued following Kilmer’s death, with the creative team opting to incorporate the AI-generated performance rather than alter the original casting.

Mercedes Kilmer, speaking on behalf of the estate, said her father had been open to emerging technologies and saw them as a way to expand storytelling possibilities. She described his interest in the project as rooted in its themes of discovery and spirituality.

The estate’s approval was a necessary component of the decision, particularly as the use of AI-generated performances becomes more common and more closely scrutinized within the industry.

The use of AI to recreate actors has become more visible in recent years, with studios experimenting with digital doubles, voice replication, and de-aging technologies. While these techniques can preserve continuity in long-running franchises or complete unfinished performances, they have also prompted debate about creative control and ethical standards.

Kilmer’s last on-screen role during his lifetime was widely considered to be his appearance in Top Gun: Maverick. The upcoming film, however, will effectively extend his filmography through digital means.

No release date has been announced for As Deep as the Grave, and production details remain limited.