AI Val Kilmer Returns to the Screen in Shocking New Thriller ‘As Deep as the Grave’
Val Kilmer, the late Hollywood icon, is appearing in a new movie through the use of AI, long after his passing in 2025. The film, “As Deep as the Grave,” tells the true story of Southwestern archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris and their work in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, exploring Navajo history. Kilmer was originally cast in 2015 as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, but his battle with throat cancer prevented him from filming.
“He was the actor I wanted to play this role,” said Coerte Voorhees, the movie’s writer and director, speaking to sources close to the production. “It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest.” Voorhees said Kilmer’s illness made it impossible for him to shoot, but the team wanted to honor his vision for the role.
Thanks to advanced generative AI, Kilmer now appears in the film with the full support of his family. His daughter, Mercedes, and son, Jack, worked closely with the filmmakers to ensure the performance stayed true to his legacy. “His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this,” Voorhees explained. “Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted.”
The production uses both archival images from Kilmer’s earlier career and footage from his later years to portray Father Fintan at different stages of life. Kilmer’s voice, affected by his tracheal surgery, was recreated using AI to match the character’s struggle with tuberculosis, echoing Kilmer’s own health challenges. John Voorhees, the producer, said, “This historical character mirrored Val’s actual condition when he was suffering from throat cancer. It creates a kind of a bridge between his real life and the story.”
An AI version of Val Kilmer stars in the new “movie” ‘As Deep as the Grave.’
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Kilmer was cast in the movie in 2015, five years before his death. But he was too sick amid his throat cancer battle to film. An AI version of him appears in the film, with the blessing of his daughter. pic.twitter.com/seTrT8Ia0a
Originally titled “Canyon of the Dead,” the indie film faced multiple delays due to COVID-19, extending production over six years. Some scenes featuring Father Fintan were initially cut for budget reasons, but the filmmakers realized that including the character was essential for the story. “Normally we would just recast an actor, but we can’t roll camera again. We don’t have the budget. So we had to think of innovative ways to do it,” Coerte Voorhees said.
AI use in film remains controversial, with concerns about consent and job security in Hollywood. However, the Kilmer estate was fully involved, and the production followed SAG guidelines, compensating the family for his AI appearance.
Mercedes Kilmer expressed support for the project, highlighting her father’s excitement about using technology for storytelling. “He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling. This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this film,” she said.
Val Kilmer had previously experimented with AI when he reprised his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), partnering with Sonantic to recreate a speaking voice he lost due to cancer. At the time, he said, “The chance to narrate my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift.”
“As Deep as the Grave” also stars Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Wes Studi, and Abigail Breslin. Kilmer’s AI character plays a significant role, helping to bring the story to life while honoring his memory.
This film raises questions about the future of AI in Hollywood, but it also shows how technology can preserve the contributions of legendary actors. What do you think about seeing Val Kilmer brought back on screen through AI? Share your thoughts in the comments.